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Transforming Business: Redefining Profit-Driven Business Models for Sustainable Impact

As the global climate crisis intensifies and social inequalities widen, the need to redefine the role of business in society has never been more urgent. Traditional profit-maximizing models often overlook long-term environmental and societal consequences, reinforcing systems that are unsustainable. This paper proposes a transformative framework for business that integrates sustainability as a core value—positioning companies not only as economic actors but also as stewards of ecological and social well-being. Drawing from environmental psychology, systems thinking, and sustainability research, the framework addresses the structural and behavioral barriers that currently inhibit meaningful business transformation. By spotlighting real-world case studies and pioneering models, the article explores how enterprises can transition toward regenerative economies, circular value chains, and stakeholder-centered decision-making processes. It discusses the implications of redefining business as an entity that solves social issues and creates social value in a financially sustainable way. Key themes include integrating sustainability into governance structures, aligning internal culture with long-term impact, fostering cross-sector collaborations that amplify systemic change, and challenging profit-driven incentives that undermine problem-solving outcomes.

Publikationsjahr

2025

Zitation

Deacu, A.-I. (2025). Transforming Business: Redefining Profit-Driven Business Models for Sustainable Impact. In Tomorrow People Organization, Belgrade, Serbia (Ed.), SDC 2025 Bangkok, Sustainable Development Conference 2025: 15-17 July 2025, Bangkok, Thailand: conference proceedings (pp. 126-133).

DOI

10.52987/sdc.2025.013

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