Adopting sustainable business models in small island developing states (SIDS): buildings and construction sector

Sustainable business models can be used as tools to facilitate the understanding and implementation of sustainable solutions; however, the sustainable business model research field is not yet mature and studies specific to the buildings and construction sector are limited. There is also a clear lack of research in developing and emerging countries. This doctoral research identifies sustainable business models in the buildings and construction sector and develops a conceptual framework for analysing business models in the buildings and construction sector. The developed conceptual framework is applied to case studies in vulnerable small island developing states (SIDS) to identify 'sustainability gaps' and provide high-level recommendations for reducing those gaps. Overall, the aim of this research is to contribute to theory and practice on adopting sustainable business models in SIDS. The research process starts with a high-level literature review of business models and sustainability that quickly narrows to the emerging field of sustainable business models. Sustainable business models are then investigated more thoroughly to build an understanding of the literature, define the theoretical framework for this research and identify research gaps. The following sustainable business model research gaps are addressed: systems-based, boundary-spanning approach underpinned by natural and social science; emphasis on the social element of sustainability; clearer guidance on benefits for both companies and customers; sector specific empirical data (contextual implications); and, analysis from developing and emerging economies (contextual implications). The framework for strategic sustainable development (FSSD) is embedded in this research to place emphasis on systems thinking and scientific principles for understanding sustainability challenges and how they may be turned into business opportunities. The approach is through systematically exploring how the FSSD has been used to enhance sustainability in business and management research. Results are then conceptually integrated by identifying potential sustainable business model characteristics. A systematic literature review of business models for sustainable buildings is then conducted to find and analyse peer-reviewed empirical case study data. Results are used to develop the initial conceptual sustainable business model framework for buildings and construction and explore a single case study, which is an organisation based in in Sweden. This is followed by a multiple case study on organisations based in SIDS in the Caribbean region for comparative analysis. The geographical context for the single case study is mainly based on Sweden's vision for and progress with sustainability in the buildings and construction sector. The selected organisation is based on alignment with the existing sustainable business model archetypes to fit with the emerging theoretical profile. The multiple case study comprises 12 organisations in the Caribbean region that are either market leaders in their subsectors or have sustainable value propositions. There is specific focus on the small island of Barbados, which is the common country of operation for all cases. Case study data collection includes interviews with senior management, company documents, and publicly available data. The overall process is constantly comparative where emerging information is used to guide to the following steps. Codes and themes are used to structure data extraction and analysis. Initial codes are derived from literature and then themes and new codes emerge from the data. The comparative analysis of results identifies various 'sustainability gaps' in business models in the Caribbean region that could be further explored to create/enhance sustainable business models such as: shared sustainable visions; sustainability champions both top-down and bottom-up; sustainability training and education, especially around embodied carbon and circularity; comprehensive environmental management approaches; the incorporation of sustainable certifications and standards; formalised construction and demolition waste management; longer-term revenue approaches, facilitated by triple bottom line and whole lifecycle thinking; and, wider distribution of economic costs and benefits. Development is needed on circular economy business models and the incorporation of modern methods of construction. Overall, this doctoral research comprehensively consolidates empirical data on sustainable business models in the buildings and construction sector, adds empirical knowledge to the sustainable business model research field, and provides useful insights and recommendations for sustainable buildings and construction research and practice.