Objectives: To develop a framework of Sustainable Business models by using the existing research contributions of academicians and practitioners. The framework can serve as a tool to identify opportunities in sustainability.
Methods/Analysis: The sustainable business model types identified from past research have been analyzed and classified and a pruned list provided. Similar models were grouped together, some reclassified on the basis of outcomes and a few were given specific descriptions. The framework of sustainable business models which consists of 21 models is presented with its potential impact on sustainable outcomes.
Findings: A list of 30 business models found originally in the research publications were categorized under four types of impact produced on sustainability. An examination of the models led the present researcher to believe that some archetypes/models found were too broad in their coverage and some models were similar. Hence the broad ones were made specific, and models that were similar were grouped into a single cell with the researcher’s contribution identified. The framework can be used by managers and practitioners to make choices about the models that are appropriate to them. The framework of sustainable business models lists21models.
Application/Improvements: Considerable amount of overlaps in the models have been eliminated and simplified and thus offers a compressed list of choices which may be consulted by managers and practitioners.