Identifying Sustainable Business Models Through Sustainable Value Creation

The aim of this chapter is to identify the concept of sustainable business models (SBMs) bridging from traditional business models (BMs) to sustainable business models (SBMs) while using value creation in exploring the characteristics of SBMs. The literature review of the chapter provides the platform to assess and to map, discuss, and develop the SBM pyramid framework. The SBM pyramid provides a framework and tool for how to identify, understand, develop and evaluate the level of sustainability of BMs and the BM dimensions—theoretically and empirically. A case example is offered to provide an illustration of the concept empirically and to explore the use of the framework in exploration and assessment of the levels of sustainability of the overall BM, the individual BM dimensions and the value proposition, delivery, creation and value capture of a company/business in practice. The three-dimensional framework can be applied by theorists and practitioners in identifying, developing and evaluating the level of sustainability in the value creation, value delivery, and value capture of any existing (sustainable) BM and it's BM dimensions and in designing new SBM innovations.