Does Sustainability Push to Reshape Business Models? Evidence from the European Wine Industry

Abstract

The wine industry is not free from environmental concerns. The paper intends to explore the owners/managers’ interest in environmental sustainability issues in their business model and to empirically understand a business model in the wine industry. Taking a qualitative approach, this exploratory study allows us to observe the phenomenon in a natural setting. Eleven interviewees were selected from wineries based in France and Italy. The study reveals that sustainability is an important issue in wine businesses that shapes the business model. Highlighting the environmental aspects of wine production, the four components of a business model, i.e., performance, resources, innovation, and value creation (PRIV), have emerged from the interviews. The sustainability and environmental issues are reflected in business models in the wine industry. The paper explains how these components of a business model work together to ensure sustainability practices by wine producers. This study proposes a model for future applications in winery businesses. The paper helps to understand that wine producers are very keen on environmentally friendly wine businesses.