Papers

Rethinking the Business Model Concept in the Anthropocene Era -16

Format: Papers, RSD11, Topic: Economics & Organisations, Topic: Methods & Methodology

Nicolas Roussignol

PSL Paris-Dauphine University

Proposal for a systemic approach to the business model

This paper presents the state of progress of my PhD thesis that I am conducting with PSL Paris-Dauphine University. My project consists in elaborating both a new description and visual representation of the business model concept applying systems thinking principles and a methodology to accompany stakeholders to rethink their business model through systemic design-oriented workshops. Indeed, we believe that this way of thinking, contrary to analytical thinking, may help business leaders and entrepreneurs to become more aware of the impact of their companies on their environment and to make them act differently to face complex Anthropogenic challenges. To conduct our research, we work for Biocoop, a French network of specialised organic food shops, and accompany shops to rethink the way they apprehend their business model through collaborative research, including interviews and systemic design-oriented workshops with different stakeholders—employees, customers, producers, and association representatives.

Biocoop food shops have several purposes: the desire to change consumption habits, for consumption that is more respectful of people—both in terms of food quality and respect for work—and of nature. However, shop owners find it complex to align these different purposes with the economic imperative. Thus, our guidance may help them to find the levers to articulate those purposes while training them to think in systems.

KEYWORDS: business model, systems thinking, systemic design, collaborative research

Citation Data

Author(s): Nicolas Roussignol
Year: 2022
Title: Rethinking the Business Model Concept in the Anthropocene Era -16
Published in: Proceedings of Relating Systems Thinking and Design
Volume: RSD11
Article No.: 159
URL: https://rsdsymposium.org/rethinking-the-business-model
Host: University of Brighton
Location: Brighton, UK
Symposium Dates: October 3–16, 2022
First published: 21 September 2022
Last update: 30 April 2023
Publisher Identification: ISSN 2371-8404

Copyright Information

Proceedings of Relating Systems Thinking and Design (ISSN 2371-8404) are published annually by the Systemic Design Association, a non-profit scholarly association leading the research and practice of design for complex systems: 3803 Tønsberg, Norway (922 275 696).

Attribution

Open Access article published under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International License. This permits anyone to copy and redistribute the material in any medium or form according to the licence terms.

Suggested citation format (APA)

Author(s). (20##). Article title. Proceedings of Relating Systems Thinking and Design, RSD##. Article ##. rsdsymposium.org/LINK

Publishing with RSD

Proceedings of Relating Systems Thinking and Design are published online and include the contributions for each format.

Papers and presentations are entered into a single-blind peer-review process, meaning reviewers see the authors’ names but not vice versa. Reviewers consider the quality of the proposed contribution and whether it addresses topics of interest or raises relevant issues in systemic design. The review process provides feedback and possible suggestions for modifications.

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Editor: Cheryl May
Advisors:
Peter Jones
Ben Sweeting

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In 2022, the Systemic Design Association adopted the scholars spiral—a cyclic non-hierarchical approach to advance scholarship—and in 2023, launched Contexts—The Systemic Design Journal. Together, the RSD symposia and Contexts support the vital emergence of supportive opportunities for scholars and practitioners to publish work in the interdisciplinary field of systemic design.

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