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The Dilemma of Incumbents in Sustainability Transitions: A Narrative Approach

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  • Karoline Augenstein

    (Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment, Energy, Döppersberg 19, Wuppertal 42103, Germany)

  • Alexandra Palzkill

    (Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment, Energy, Döppersberg 19, Wuppertal 42103, Germany)

Abstract

In the context of the larger sustainability discourse, “sufficiency” is beginning to emerge as a new value throughout Western societies, and the question asked in this article is: Can we observe and conceptually identify opportunities to link successful business strategies of incumbents to principles of sufficiency? Thus, how feasible is sustainable entrepreneurship for incumbents? In this paper, a conceptual approach is developed combining insights from sociology, transition research, management and sustainable entrepreneurship research with a focus on narratives as a translation mechanism in situations where tensions emerge between corporate narratives and unexpected societal trends, e.g., the emergence of sufficient lifestyles. It will be shown that even though these are still a niche phenomenon, a focus on corporate narratives is an important element in understanding the role of incumbents in transitions to sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Karoline Augenstein & Alexandra Palzkill, 2015. "The Dilemma of Incumbents in Sustainability Transitions: A Narrative Approach," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 6(1), pages 1-23, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jadmsc:v:6:y:2015:i:1:p:1-:d:61293
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Nhat Strøm-Andersen, 2019. "Incumbents in the Transition Towards the Bioeconomy: The Role of Dynamic Capabilities and Innovation Strategies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(18), pages 1-20, September.
    2. Armaghan Chizaryfard & Cali Nuur & Paolo Trucco, 2022. "Managing Structural Tensions in the Transition to the Circular Economy: the Case of Electric Vehicle Batteries," Circular Economy and Sustainability,, Springer.
    3. Hadi Al-Abrrow & Jaber Ali & Alhamzah Alnoor, 2022. "Multilevel Influence of Routine Redesigning, Legitimacy and Functional Affordance on Sustainability Accounting: Mediating Role of Organizational Sense-making," Global Business Review, International Management Institute, vol. 23(2), pages 287-312, April.
    4. Paul McDonald, 2018. "Sustainability management: research insights from social cognitive neuroscience," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(8), pages 1355-1367, December.
    5. Alexandra Palzkill & Karoline Augenstein, 2017. "Business model resilience – understanding the role of companies in societal transformation processes [Geschäftsmodell-Resilienz – Zur Rolle von Unternehmen in gesellschaftlichen Transformationsproz," NachhaltigkeitsManagementForum | Sustainability Management Forum, Springer, vol. 25(1), pages 61-70, June.

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