Northumbria University, City Campus East Room 002
Tuesday
November 26
Dr Cristina Neesham,
Newcastle University
Theories of Value for Sustainable Business Models
Theories of sustainable business models (SBMs) use
"value" as a core concept, without defining it. While traditional
business models literature relies on concepts of value derived from economic
theories, thus limiting their scope to economic value, this theoretical
foundation is insufficient for SBMs. The latter have been distinguished from
traditional business models in two respects: 1) SBMs are designed to create
multiple types of value, beyond economic, e.g. social environmental, human, cultural,
etc. (open list); 2) Value created by SBMs is directed to multiple and diverse
stakeholders of the firm, not only shareholders and customers (e.g. employees,
suppliers, local communities, government/the state, the media, interest groups,
the natural environment, future generations). This expansion of the concepts of
'business model' and 'value' calls for new theories of value to support
theories of SBM. This study evaluates critically the potential of philosophical
phenomenology (Merleau-Ponty) and philosophical anthropology (Graeber) for
providing an adequate foundation for defining value and explaining value
creation in SBMs.
About the presenter:
Dr Cristina Neesham
is a Professor of Business Ethics & Sustainability and Associate Dean
Ethics, Responsibility and Sustainability (ERS) at Newcastle University
Business School (UK). She has a PhD from the University of Melbourne (Australia)
and has served in multiple leadership roles in the Academy of Management.
Cristina’s research has been published in Business Ethics Quarterly, Accounting
Auditing & Accountability Journal, Business & Society, Journal of
Business Ethics, Organization Theory, International Journal of Human Resource
Management, and International Journal of Project Management, among others. Her
work focuses on theories of value in sustainable business models, and on
applying digital technology ethics and responsible innovation to address global
sustainability problems. Her teaching and curriculum development promotes
education for sustainability principles. Cristina is co-Editor-in-Chief of the
Springer Handbook of Philosophy of Management and the Philosophy of Management
Journal, and Associate Editor of Business Ethics, Environment &
Responsibility.
