Norwegian best practice of sustainable business models

The objective of this study is to describe corporate reasons, organizational challenges and the evolution of economic effects, social boundaries and environmental actions in sustainable business practices. This study is based on insights gained from eight Norwegian companies in different industries. The empirical findings indicate evolutionary changes as companies move on a continuum from superficial to embedded sustainable business models and the application of sustainable business practices. The planning, implementation and evaluation of sustainable business models evolves over time within companies and their supply chains, as well as in the marketplace and society. A limitation of this study is that it is exclusively undertaken in Norwegian companies, although the companies are from different industries with different characteristics. Future research is clearly necessary and will be conducted in other countries in similar industries, so as to explore the empirical findings from this study in other contexts. In addition, the interfaces between environmental actions, economic effects and social boundaries need to be investigated further. The study contributes to a growing body of knowledge on corporate reasons for and organizational challenges of sustainable business models, as well as environmental, social and economic aspects of sustainable business practices.
This study only sheds initial light on these aspects, and more work is required to confirm and extend the present findings. Specifically, further research is required into underlying corporate reasons and organizational challenges—as well as economic effects, social boundaries and environmental actions. The authors believe that the empirical findings provide useful and relevant insights applicable to both research and practice in this important and evolving element of contemporary business. The objective of this study is to describe corporate reasons, organizational challenges and the evolution of economic effects, social boundaries and environmental actions in sustainable business practices.