SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MODEL INNOVATION: INTEGRATING CIRCULAR ECONOMY AND SHARED VALUE CREATION
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63141/gijbr-V3N1-2026ID41Keywords:
Sustainable Business Model Innovation, Circular Economy, Shared Value Creation, Strategic Sustainability Practices, Triple Bottom LineAbstract
In response to escalating environmental challenges and shifting societal expectations, businesses are increasingly compelled to innovate beyond conventional models to achieve long-term sustainability. This study examines Sustainable Business Model Innovation (SBMI) by integrating two pivotal frameworks: the Circular Economy (CE) and Shared Value Creation (SVC). Through an extensive review of existing literature, the paper elucidates how the principles of resource efficiency, waste minimization, and product lifecycle extension inherent in CE can be synergistically combined with the economic and social imperatives of SVC to generate mutual benefits for businesses and society. The study highlights key drivers, barriers, and strategic approaches that organizations can adopt to embed sustainability at the core of their business models. By proposing an integrated conceptual framework, it offers actionable insights for practitioners and policymakers aiming to foster inclusive, regenerative, and competitive enterprises. Ultimately, this research contributes to the evolving discourse on sustainable innovation, emphasizing the necessity of aligning economic performance with environmental stewardship and social well-being.
Downloads
References
References
1. Akamanzi, C., Deutscher, P., Guerich, B., Lobelle, A., & Ooko-Ombaka, A. (2016). Silicon Savannah: the Kenya ICT services cluster. Microeconomics of Competitiveness – Spring 2016
2. Antikainen, M., Uusitalo, T., &Kivikytö-Reponen, P. (2018). Digitalisation as an enabler of circular economy. Procedia CIRP, 73, 45–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procir.2018.04.027
3. Bocken, N. M., &Geradts, T. H. (2020). Barriers and drivers to sustainable business model innovation: Organization design and dynamic capabilities. Long range planning, 53(4), 101950. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lrp.2019.101950
4. Bocken, N. M., Short, S. W., Rana, P., & Evans, S. (2014). A literature and practice review to develop sustainable business model archetypes. Journal of cleaner production, 65, 42-56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2013.11.039
5. Boons, F., &Lüdeke-Freund, F. (2013). Business models for sustainable innovation: State-of-the-art and steps towards a research agenda. Journal of Cleaner Production, 45, 9–19. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2012.07.007
6. Braungart, M., & McDonough, W. (2002). Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things. North Point Press.
7. Carroll, A.B. (1999). Corporate social responsibility: Evolution of a definitional construct. Business & Society, 38(3), 268–295. https://doi.org/10.1177/000765039903800303
8. Eccles, R. G., & Klimenko, S. (2019). The investor revolution. Harvard Business Review, 97(3), 106–116.
9. Elkington, J. (1997). Cannibals with Forks: The Triple Bottom Line of 21st Century Business. Capstone Publishing. ISBN: 978-1-841-12084-3
10. Elkington, J., & Hartigan, P. (2008). The power of unreasonable people: How social entrepreneurs create markets that change the world. Harvard Business Press. ISBN: 9781422163542
11. Evans, S., et al. (2017). Business model innovation for sustainability: Towards a unified perspective for creation of sustainable business models. Business Strategy and the Environment, 26(5), 597–608. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bse.1939
12. Geissdoerfer, M., Savaget, P., Bocken, N. M., &Hultink, E. J. (2017). The Circular Economy–A new sustainability paradigm?. Journal of cleaner production, 143, 757-768. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.12.048
13. Geissdoerfer, M., Vladimirova, D., & Evans, S. (2018). Sustainable business model innovation: A review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 198, 401–416. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.06.240
14. HP Sustainability Impact Report, 2021 Retrieved on April 29, 2025, from https://h20195.www2.hp.com/v2/getpdf.aspx/c08228880.pdf
15. Kirchherr, J., Reike, D., & Hekkert, M. (2017). Conceptualizing the circular economy. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 127, 221–232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2017.09.005
16. Let there be (intelligent) light pay-per-lux Retrieved on April 25, 2025, from https://atlasofthefuture.org/project/pay-per-lux/
17. Lozano, R. (2015). A holistic perspective on corporate sustainability drivers. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 22(1), 32–44. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.1325
18. Lüdeke‐Freund, F., Gold, S., &Bocken, N. M. (2019). A review and typology of circular economy business model patterns. Journal of industrial ecology, 23(1), 36-61. https://doi.org/10.1111/jiec.12763
19. Michelini, L., & Fiorentino, D. (2012). New business models for creating shared value. Social Responsibility Journal, 8(4), 561-577. DOI: 10.1108/17471111211272129
20. Nestlé. (2021). Nestlé in society: Creating shared value and meeting our commitments 2013. Nestlé S.A. Retrieved from https://www.nestle.com/sites/default/files/2022-03/creating-shared-value-sustainability-report-2021-en.pdf
21. OECD (2020), OECD Economic Outlook, Volume 2020 Issue 2, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/39a88ab1-en
22. Porter, M. E., & Kramer, M. R. (2011). Creating shared value. Harvard Business Review, 89(1/2), 62–77.
23. Porter, M.E., & Kramer, M.R. (2006). Strategy and society: The link between competitive advantage and corporate social responsibility. Harvard Business Review, 84(12), 78–92.
24. Saberi, S., Kouhizadeh, M., Sarkis, J., & Shen, L. (2019). Blockchain technology and its relationships to sustainable supply chain management. International Journal of Production Research, 57(7), 2117–2135. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2018.1533261
25. Schaltegger, S., Hansen, E.G., &Lüdeke-Freund, F. (2016). Business models for sustainability: Origins, present research, and future avenues. Organization & Environment, 29(1), 3–10. https://doi.org/10.1177/1086026615599806
26. Tapaninaho, R., & Heikkinen, A. (2021). Value creation in circular economy business for sustainability: A stakeholder relationship perspective. Journal of Cleaner Production, 290, 125826. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125826
27. Tapaninaho, R., & Heikkinen, A. (2021). Value creation in circular economy business for sustainability: A stakeholder relationship perspective. Journal of Cleaner Production, 290, 125826. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bse.3002
28. UNDP Annual Report 2018 retrieved on April 29, 2025 from UNDP Annual Report 2018 | United Nations Development Programme
29. UNFCCC. (n.d.). Interface. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Retrieved on April 25, 2025, from https://unfccc.int/climate-action/momentum-for-change/climate-neutral-now/interface
30. United Nations (2015).Transforming our world: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. New York: United Nations, Retrieved on April 29, 2025, from https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda
31. We're on track towards our 2030 climate commitment Retrieved on April 29, 2025, from IKEA Sustainability Report FY21 - IKEA Global : https://www.ikea.com/global/en/our-business/reports/sustainability-report-fy21-220117/
32. Yunus, M., Moingeon, B., & Lehmann-Ortega, L. (2010). Building social business models: Lessons from the Grameen experience. Long range planning, 43(2-3), 308-325.
33. Source: Access & affordability from https://www.novonordisk.co.in/sustainable-business/access-and-affordability.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com
34. Source: Unilever. (2021). Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2020. Retrieved from https://www.unilever.com/files/92ui5egz/production/372ab0178e9555aa5010f15aed8295af77149fe3.pdf
Downloads
Published
Data Availability Statement
Not available
License
Copyright (c) 2026 GSB Insight: Journal of Business and Research

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.