A pattern-based tool to support companies in sustainability-oriented business strategies: grounded theory research in agribusiness

Sustainability is an issue that echoes in our daily lives, leading to a new post-COVID-19 crisis trend: sustainable business. Sustainability encompasses environmental, social, and economic aspects are reflected in corporate organizational practices and sustainable business models. Despite this, integrating sustainability into business practices presents a challenge. As indicated by the literature review, 90% of the existing sustainable business models are partially capable of covering the three dimensions of sustainability. This study proposes a pattern-based tool to support companies in the implementation of sustainability-oriented business strategies emerging from a grounded theory research in agribusiness. The proposed pattern-based tool maps the current sustainable business models, the material topics, and Global Reporting Initiatives that a company can adopt to implement sustainability strategies. Sustainable business models came from literature review, material topics and GRIs were identified analyzing 107 European agribusiness companies. The proposed pattern-based tool, can be explored through three patterns designed to implement economic, social, and environmental sustainability strategies. It was applied in a case study to better demonstrate how to use the proposed tool in the practice. Discussions and implications for academia and agribusinesses are provided.