From a conventional to a sustainable business model – a review on transformation actions and indicators

This paper presents a comprehensive literature review of the evolving landscape of business models, particularly focusing on the integration of sustainability. This paper delves into the transition from conventional business models to sustainable ones, emphasizing the growing importance of environmental and social sustainability driven by global initiatives such as the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and the European Union’s Green Deal. The study proposes a research question to understand the current literature on business models and sustainability and identify actions and indicators to facilitate the transformation. The research employs a systematic literature review, bibliometric analysis, and qualitative content analysis to provide a comprehensive overview of the available literature. The findings reveal a growing emphasis on sustainability, focusing on circular economy, business model innovation, and sustainability management. The paper also highlights key publications and institutions contributing to this evolving field, shedding light on the increasing relevance of sustainability in business models.