Ecosystem Approach and New Business Models for Sustainability: a Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

The ecosystem approach within organizations is based on the idea that organizations themselves are inserted into a complex and interconnected system of relationships with the surrounding environment, which include stakeholders, suppliers, customers, and the community in general. This approach focuses on the importance of considering the impact of the organization's actions on the environment and society, considering a long-term and sustainability perspective. In recent years, more and more organizations are adopting strategies and practices based on the ecosystem approach to promote sustainability and reduce negative impact on the environment. These practices include reducing carbon emissions, optimizing resource use, implementing corporate social responsibility policies, and promoting transparency and accountability. This study aims to analyze and summarize, through a systematic review of the literature, the most relevant contributions in literature and in practice on the phenomenon investigated, i.e. the ecosystem approach and sustainability within organizations. The literature shows that organizations that adopt an ecosystem approach to sustainability tend to achieve competitive advantages, such as a better relationship with customers, greater market trust, greater attractiveness for employees and a better relationship with investors. However, implementing an ecosystem approach within an organization is not always easy and requires significant cultural and structural change.