The concepts of Sustainable Supply Chains and Sustainable Business Models are closely related and highly complementary. Business model innovation often requires significantly new supply chain lay-outs. For example, when shifting from product sales to product rental or leasing models, new forms of distribution and product take-back are required. The relationship with retailers also changes. Similarly, supply chain opportunities can drive business model innovation, for example, when new distribution channels give access to new customer segments desiring different value propositions.
This blog discusses the similarities and differences between Sustainable Supply Chains and Sustainable Business Models .
It is based on the book chapter on the topic written by Florian Lüdeke-Freund, Stephan Gold and Nancy Bocken in the book “Implementing Triple Bottom Line Sustainability into Global Supply Chains” edited by Lydia Bals and Wendy Tate, published in May 2016 via Greenleaf)
Sources:
Bals, L. & Tate, W. (2016) (Eds.): Implementing Triple Bottom Line Sustainability into Global Supply Chains.Sheffield: Greenleaf.
Lüdeke-Freund, F.; Gold, S. & Bocken, N. (2016): Sustainable Business Model and Supply Chain Conceptions – Towards an Integrated Perspective, in: Bals, L. & Tate, W. (Eds.): Implementing Triple Bottom Line Sustainability into Global Supply Chains. Sheffield: Greenleaf, 337-363.