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Why and how to compete through sustainability: a review and outline of trends influencing firm and network-level transformation

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  • Vinit Parida

    (Luleå University of Technology
    University of Vaasa)

  • Joakim Wincent

    (Luleå University of Technology
    Hanken School of Economics
    University of St.Gallen)

Abstract

This article reviews and discusses how to compete with sustainability by reviewing the literature about sustainability, business models, innovation, and networks. It is an introduction to the special issue on “innovative inter-organizational networks and sustainable economy: current trends and future opportunities” and a call for more research where we examine and outline ideas for how the new and rapidly spreading trends of digitalization, the circular economy, and servitization are force firms to develop new types of competitive advantages. We elaborate upon the transformation needs at firm-level capabilities and business models, as well as network-level changes through the formation of new ecosystems and new ways of engaging in co-creation with partners. These firm and network level transformation discussions are complimented with specific list potential areas for future academic research.

Suggested Citation

  • Vinit Parida & Joakim Wincent, 2019. "Why and how to compete through sustainability: a review and outline of trends influencing firm and network-level transformation," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 15(1), pages 1-19, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:intemj:v:15:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1007_s11365-019-00558-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s11365-019-00558-9
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    3. Sophie I. Hallstedt & Ola Isaksson & Anna Öhrwall Rönnbäck, 2020. "The Need for New Product Development Capabilities from Digitalization, Sustainability, and Servitization Trends," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-26, December.
    4. Fernandez de Arroyabe, J.C. & Arranz, N. & Schumann, M. & Arroyabe, M.F., 2021. "The development of CE business models in firms: The role of circular economy capabilities," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 106(C).
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    8. Alberto de la Calle & Inmaculada Freije & Aitor Oyarbide, 2021. "Digital Product–Service Innovation and Sustainability: A Multiple-Case Study in the Capital Goods Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-29, June.
    9. Jarmo Uusikartano & Hannele Väyrynen & Leena Aarikka-Stenroos, 2020. "Public Agency in Changing Industrial Circular Economy Ecosystems: Roles, Modes and Structures," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-27, November.
    10. Doroteja Vidmar & Marjeta Marolt & Andreja Pucihar, 2021. "Information Technology for Business Sustainability: A Literature Review with Automated Content Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-24, January.
    11. Franklin Velasco Vizcaíno & Juan J. Cardenas & Marcelo Cardenas, 2021. "A look at the social entrepreneur: the effects of resilience and power distance personality traits on consumers’ perceptions of corporate social sustainability," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 17(1), pages 83-103, March.
    12. Xiaoxiao Shi & Qingpu Zhang, 2020. "Network inertia and inbound open innovation: is there a bidirectional relationship?," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 122(2), pages 791-815, February.
    13. Allal-Chérif, Oihab & Costa Climent, Juan & Ulrich Berenguer, Klaus Jurgen, 2023. "Born to be sustainable: How to combine strategic disruption, open innovation, and process digitization to create a sustainable business," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    14. Paiola, Marco & Schiavone, Francesco & Grandinetti, Roberto & Chen, Junsong, 2021. "Digital servitization and sustainability through networking: Some evidences from IoT-based business models," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 507-516.
    15. Marcos Ferasso & Tatiana Beliaeva & Sascha Kraus & Thomas Clauss & Domingo Ribeiro‐Soriano, 2020. "Circular economy business models: The state of research and avenues ahead," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(8), pages 3006-3024, December.
    16. Svein Gunnar Kjøde & Maja van der Velden & Mahsa Motevallian, 2021. "Sustainability Concepts in Nordic Business Research: A Critical Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-23, May.
    17. Mostaghel, Rana & Chirumalla, Koteshwar, 2021. "Role of customers in circular business models," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 35-44.
    18. Regina Diaz & Raul Montalvo, 2022. "Digital Transformation as an Enabler to Become More Efficient in Sustainability: Evidence from Five Leading Companies in the Mexican Market," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-19, November.
    19. Sara Moggi & Paul Pierce & Nicole Bernardi, 2022. "From sustainability to thrivability: A novel framework for entrepreneurial ecosystems," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 18(2), pages 829-853, June.
    20. Johannes Matschewsky, 2019. "Unintended Circularity?—Assessing a Product-Service System for its Potential Contribution to a Circular Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-27, May.
    21. Karolina Bähr & Alexander Fliaster, 2023. "The twofold transition: Framing digital innovations and incumbents' value propositions for sustainability," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(2), pages 920-935, February.
    22. Francesca Collevecchio & Gianluca Gionfriddo, 2023. "Adopting a social purpose in for-profit firms: the role of the board of directors," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 19(3), pages 1467-1499, September.
    23. Guangping Xu & Guangyuan Hou & Jinshan Zhang, 2022. "Digital Sustainable Entrepreneurship: A Digital Capability Perspective through Digital Innovation Orientation for Social and Environmental Value Creation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-24, September.
    24. Eloiza Kohlbeck & Paulo Augusto Cauchick-Miguel & Glauco Henrique de Sousa Mendes & Thayla Tavares de Sousa Zomer, 2023. "A Longitudinal History-Based Review of the Product-Service System: Past, Present, and Future," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-22, August.
    25. Sandra S. Graça, 2021. "A Global PSS Framework for Sustainable B2B Partnership," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-14, March.

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