Tensions of Sustainability Logics: Performance of a Company Utilizing a Sustainable Business Model

ABSTRACT In recent years, companies have used sustainable business models to gain a competitive advantage. However, there are tensions due to the inconsistency between social, environmental, and economic logic in sustainable business models, making it difficult for companies to change. To understand the existing tensions and interactions between logics, sustainable business models were examined through a systematic literature review, considering short‐ and long‐term aspects. This study analyzed 83 peer‐reviewed studies to create an overview of topic‐related tensions in sustainable business models and different sustainable business model types. It was found that in nearly all sustainable business models, tensions of specific logics, such as environmental, social, and economic logics, are underrepresented. For economic logic, the most common tensions are cost‐related; for social logic, regionality‐related tensions are more common; and for environmental logic, product‐ and production‐related tensions are more common. Next to the tension of sustainability logics, tensions for other logics in relation to stakeholders, government, digitalization, families, and religion are present in sustainable business models. This study developed a framework to better understand the interactions between logic, sustainable business models, and long‐ and short‐term aspects.