How smart technologies can support sustainable business models: insights from an air navigation service provider
ISSN: 0025-1747
Article publication date: 18 May 2020
Issue publication date: 4 December 2020
Abstract
Purpose
Although research on smart technologies explains their critical importance in sustainable business models (SBMs) (Mikalef et al., 2017), it remains unclear how organisations can embrace smart technologies to create and/or improve their sustainable business models. The purpose of this paper is to unravel and address the challenges of smart technologies to build and maintain a sustainable business model for organisations.
Design/methodology/approach
The research develops an empirical analysis through a case study approach. We have investigated the case of ENAV – an Italian air navigation service provider – and how this firm uses smart technologies in the creation of its successful SBM. After constructing a basic theory, the authors moved to evidence collection. The data analysis has adopted a qualitative approach based on a thematic analysis of the transcripts and related documents.
Findings
The findings from the case study support the idea that the business value and the strategic relevance of smart technologies still remain largely underestimated in SBM adoption (Mikalef et al., 2017). Case study findings suggest that until today smart technologies have played a minimal role in SBM adoption. However, the smart technologies show the potential to inform the SBM adoption process by contributing to corporate communication for external stakeholders and to the main dimensions of SBMs such as safety and security or the respect for social and environmental criteria in the supply chain.
Practical implications
This study seeks to support organisations and their directors to build and improve sustainable business models through smart technologies to maintain their competitive advantages. Specifically, our findings suggest that smart technologies can help organisations bridge the design–implementation gap of sustainable business models.
Originality/value
This research advances our understanding of the role of smart technologies by explaining how they can enhance sustainable business model adoption. Indeed, we offer a comprehensive view of the integration of insights from three different but related literature streams such as sustainability strategies, smart technologies and change management studies.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
We want to thank the Guest Editors and the anonymous reviewers for their insightful comments. We are extremely grateful to Davide Tassi - Head of Corporate social responsibility, Nicoletta Tomiselli - Head of Communication, Francesco Paterni - Head of Digital and Innovation, Giuseppe Acierno - President of ENAV Sustainability Committee from June 2018 to May 2019.Funding: This study was funded by the University of Naples Parthenope (Italy).
Citation
Fiorentino, R., Grimaldi, F., Lamboglia, R. and Merendino, A. (2020), "How smart technologies can support sustainable business models: insights from an air navigation service provider", Management Decision, Vol. 58 No. 8, pp. 1715-1736. https://doi.org/10.1108/MD-09-2019-1327
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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