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A master's thesis from Aalborg University
Book cover


Changes in Corporate Sustainability: A constructivist grounded theory research

Translated title

Term

4. Term

Publication year

2012

Submitted on

Pages

42

Abstract

In recent years the field of business has come under an unprecedented level of criticism in light of its role in a number of social, environmental and economic issues present in today’s society. Even though a paradigm shift that would radically improve its environmental and social performance has been strongly evoked, there has been little empirical analysis and theoretical discussions around the characteristics of such a change. This research identifies such a paradigmatic change, and using a constructivist approach to grounded theory methodology sets its theoretical basis under the name of Valuedecentrism. Furthermore it develops a tool using the concepts of business model and eco-innovation, concepts which actually guided the way towards defining the new paradigm as well. Through the obtained conceptual results this work intends to offer, on the one hand, a solution to motivate the business practitioners to take action in the background of the current environmental challenges and, on the other hand, to help environmental researchers enhance a higher degree of collaboration with the business sphere.