Pursuing values for and beyond profit: Sustainability managers’ perspectives on Business Models for Sustainability

Other conference contribution, 2025

While previous studies acknowledge leadership's importance in achieving sustainability goals, they often lack in-depth exploration of leadership practices and their impact on sustainable business development. This paper aims to explore the perspectives of sustainability managers on business models for sustainability in project-based organizations. In Autumn 2024, twenty-five semi-structured interviews were conducted with sustainability managers from various Swedish construction and real estate firms. The findings reveal three dominant views on business models for sustainability: idealist, pragmatic, and ambiguous. The idealist view advocates for fundamental societal changes and prioritization of sustainability over profit. The pragmatic view emphasizes practical and actionable steps to support sustainability in project-based organizations. The ambiguous view highlights a gap in understanding and clarity among sustainability managers regarding business models. Although sustainability is perceived as a prerequisite for business, the study indicates that a business model for sustainability discourse is weak, and that strategies for sustainability and the integration of sustainable operational activities are not adequately reflected in business models.