ABSTRACT
Based on the notion that sustainability has become an inevitable imperative if the planet is to survive as a place where human beings can live and enjoy life, this chapter discusses how many organizations have begun to make it a part of their strategies and innovation efforts. Because of sustainability, the value to be created by businesses needs to be different to that created by business-as-usual. I discuss various concepts that can help to make sustainable value creation concrete, such as corporate social responsibility, shared value, the sustainable city, the sharing economy and the circular economy. The chapter also explores the contribution of innovation to sustainability by discussing the concepts of responsible innovation, social innovation and sustainability innovation. The chapter is rounded off by asking whether today’s business schools are adequately preparing our future managers for the transformation that is about to take place. Millennials appear visibly interested in responsible and purpose-driven businesses. A future-oriented approach in business curricula is within reach.
