Business Ecosystem and Sustainable Innovative Practices

This chapter provides evidence of how the business ecosystem affects companies adopting innovative approaches for sustainable outcomes. We contend that companies alone cannot achieve sustainable outcomes and require collaborative approaches to innovate processes. We identify various internal and external factors in the business ecosystem which could either facilitate or hinder the company’s sustainable innovation approaches. Using multiple case study designs, documentary analysis, and semi-structured interviews, we explore various crucial external factors, e.g., the country’s regulatory framework, culture, available resources, and collaboration of companies with stakeholders, in developing sustainable, innovative approaches. These sustainable innovations (e.g., digitisation, training on health, education, drip irrigation, and water sense technologies) help firms improve their existing products and processes and contribute positively to the environment and society.