Abuzeinab, A; Arif, M; Kulonda, D J and Awuzie, B O (2016) Green business models transformation: Evidence from the UK construction sector. Built Environment Project and Asset Management, 6(5), pp. 478-490. ISSN 2044-124X
Abstract
Purpose Sustainability has the potential to bring enormous benefits to our built environment. To release this potential, a change in business models is required. The purpose of this paper is to investigate green business models (GBMs) transformation by adopting five essential elements of green value creation and capture: green value proposition (GVP), target group (TG), key activities (KA), key resources (KR), and financial logic (FL). Design/methodology/approach In this qualitative study, 19 semi-structured interviews were conducted. Interviewees were selected purposively. The emergent data were analysed with the aid of themes. Findings It was observed that significant effort was being made towards enabling the transformation of certain elements pertinent to green value creation: KA and KR. This was particularly so when compared to other elements like GVP, TG, and FL. Practical implications Findings from this study should encourage construction managers to align their extant BMs to green activities hence enabling new approaches to green value creation and capture. Furthermore, the study will aid in improving the environmental and economic positions of the value chain within the construction sector. Originality/value This research is one of the few empirical academic works investigating GBMs in the construction sector.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | UK; transformation; value chain; exploratory study; construction sector; green business model |
| Index terms: | construction sector, evidence, built environment, business model, construction manager, value creation, methodology, exploratory study, transformation, green business model, qualitative study, interview, value chain |
| Subjects: | profession, evaluation and assessment methods, data collection methods, research design and methodology, business, sustainable design, value chain strategy, economic development, research methods, infrastructure and transport systems, industry analysis |
| Topics: | Supply Chain Management, Urban Studies, Sustainability, Roles and Professions, Research Practice, Business Strategy |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here