Sustainable Business Model literature and practice review: A case study with Social Enterprises.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to understand the concepts of Sustainable Business Models (SBM) and define practices applied in Social Enterprises (SE). The research involves two phases. In the 1st Phase, the Systematic Literature Review was conducted as a basis of qualitative study and understanding of the current SBM concepts and archetypes. Considering different archetypes emerged from the results of the literature review Social Enterprise was chosen as a sample to continue the research process. In the 2nd Phase of the study, the interview-based study has been applied to further support SBM concepts and tools applied on SEs. Interviews were held with different kinds of Social Business, however in a specific location. This study provides a deeper understanding of the concepts of SBM globally by applying for a systematic literature review. After defining archetypes to further develop the research project, SEs were considered to be the main study sample to be conducted. To support the study, in the next phase, SEs and their concepts were understood and defined by an applied interview-based qualitative study. The study was conducted with businesses in Azerbaijan, specifically to analyze the value creation process and framework for SEs in Azerbaijan. The concepts were analyzed along with its limitations to show the current picture and propose practices to be considered. The insights and measures from the interviews had been shared with businesses to have feedback and to conclude ideas of measures and challenges for applying SBMs in a developing country. The study was well perceived by the entrepreneurs and gave them necessary insights on the current situation of the market and considering new measures to be applied. The insights and measures along with provided feedbacks can be used for future research purposes to redefine and test the insights or measures found in this study.