Business models for digital sustainability: Framework, microfoundations of value capture, and empirical evidence from 130 smart city services

In their article, Barbara Bencsik and her colleagues present a groundbreaking study on business models for digital sustainability, delving into how digital technologies can create environmental and social value within smart cities. The authors develop a comprehensive framework of twelve possible business model configurations, highlighting six empirically relevant types that illustrate how digital and sustainable goals can be harmonized
St Gallen: Thought Leadership

"Digital technologies are now widely adopted by organisations to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of business and administrative processes, illustrating their potential to reshape both business and society profoundly." says St. Gallen University researchers Barbara Bencsik, Maximilian Palmié and Joakim Wincent, together with their fellow authors Vinit Parida and Oliver Gassmann.

Key insights include some innovative business model configurations where end users pay for services, emphasizing environmental enhancements, citizen engagement, and digital delivery. In contrast, other configurations involve services provided free of charge, funded by public authorities, and often leveraging digital platforms for social transparency and inclusivity. In this article, citizen engagement and public-private partnerships are highlighted as a result.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

And learn more about these transformative business models and their potential to create a more sustainable world and read the full article here.

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