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Growing innovation : business models for sustainable regional development in Skåne, Sweden

Krautscheid, Lena LU (2025) In Regional Studies, Regional Science 12(1). p.963-974
Abstract
Being one of the largest industries, the agricultural sector is central to achieving EU and UN sustainability goals. However, the role of sustainable business model innovation (SBMI) in low-tech sectors, such as agriculture, remains empirically underexplored, as existing research has largely focused on high-tech industries and large firms. The paper addresses this gap by examining how SBMI can support sustainable regional development in low-tech contexts, using organic primary production in Skåne, Sweden's southernmost region, as a case study. Drawing on 19 semi-structured interviews, the study applies a conceptual framework to analyse SBMI and its contribution to sustainable regional development. Findings reveal innovations that enhance... (More)
Being one of the largest industries, the agricultural sector is central to achieving EU and UN sustainability goals. However, the role of sustainable business model innovation (SBMI) in low-tech sectors, such as agriculture, remains empirically underexplored, as existing research has largely focused on high-tech industries and large firms. The paper addresses this gap by examining how SBMI can support sustainable regional development in low-tech contexts, using organic primary production in Skåne, Sweden's southernmost region, as a case study. Drawing on 19 semi-structured interviews, the study applies a conceptual framework to analyse SBMI and its contribution to sustainable regional development. Findings reveal innovations that enhance food production efficiency and sustainability, emphasising collaboration, social capital and diversification as key to resilience and cost reduction. The study identifies a partial mismatch between regional and national strategies, urging policymakers to address producers’ needs and include them in policy dialogues. Additionally, the paper underscores the need for a shift towards environmental regeneration, social sustainability and economic viability in value creation for producers in the region. Future research should explore the social and economic viability of primary producers, who often face innovation constraints, to enhance sustainable regional development and resilience. (Less)
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author
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Regional Studies, Regional Science
volume
12
issue
1
pages
963 - 974
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • scopus:105022660319
ISSN
2168-1376
DOI
10.1080/21681376.2025.2571545
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
7e643698-541c-4200-b8de-923ac22c2455
date added to LUP
2025-11-21 12:55:29
date last changed
2025-12-11 04:00:47
@article{7e643698-541c-4200-b8de-923ac22c2455,
  abstract     = {{Being one of the largest industries, the agricultural sector is central to achieving EU and UN sustainability goals. However, the role of sustainable business model innovation (SBMI) in low-tech sectors, such as agriculture, remains empirically underexplored, as existing research has largely focused on high-tech industries and large firms. The paper addresses this gap by examining how SBMI can support sustainable regional development in low-tech contexts, using organic primary production in Skåne, Sweden's southernmost region, as a case study. Drawing on 19 semi-structured interviews, the study applies a conceptual framework to analyse SBMI and its contribution to sustainable regional development. Findings reveal innovations that enhance food production efficiency and sustainability, emphasising collaboration, social capital and diversification as key to resilience and cost reduction. The study identifies a partial mismatch between regional and national strategies, urging policymakers to address producers’ needs and include them in policy dialogues. Additionally, the paper underscores the need for a shift towards environmental regeneration, social sustainability and economic viability in value creation for producers in the region. Future research should explore the social and economic viability of primary producers, who often face innovation constraints, to enhance sustainable regional development and resilience.}},
  author       = {{Krautscheid, Lena}},
  issn         = {{2168-1376}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{11}},
  number       = {{1}},
  pages        = {{963--974}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{Regional Studies, Regional Science}},
  title        = {{Growing innovation : business models for sustainable regional development in Skåne, Sweden}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21681376.2025.2571545}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/21681376.2025.2571545}},
  volume       = {{12}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}