Beyond Paradoxical Sustainable Business Model and Ecosystem Innovation: Cosmo-Local Dynamics From Brazilian–Belgian Perspectives

Loann Astorino; Amanda Fernandes Xavier; Maria Clara Batista Santos; Luiz Antonio Silva; Perrine Ferauge; Tharcisio Cotta Fontainha

doi:10.37725/mgmt.2025.113811

Loann Astorino Warocqué School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Engineering, University of Mons (UMONS), Mons, Belgium https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1257-7790
Amanda Fernandes Xavier Alberto Luiz Coimbra Institute for Graduate Studies and Research in Engineering (COPPE), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Maria Clara Batista Santos Alberto Luiz Coimbra Institute for Graduate Studies and Research in Engineering (COPPE), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Luiz Antonio Silva Alberto Luiz Coimbra Institute for Graduate Studies and Research in Engineering (COPPE), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Perrine Ferauge Warocqué School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Engineering, University of Mons (UMONS), Mons, Belgium
Tharcisio Cotta Fontainha Alberto Luiz Coimbra Institute for Graduate Studies and Research in Engineering (COPPE), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37725/mgmt.2025.113811

Keywords: Eco-innovation, Leadership, Sustainability, Resilience, Strategic Management

Abstract

Socio-ecological challenges highlight structural problems in incorporating sustainability into organizations and governments, requiring strategic directions and actions of collective value. This situation has resulted in the emergence of concepts related to eco-innovation and more specifically sustainable business model innovations (SBMI). On the one hand, this phenomenon represents a major internal–external approach for incorporating sustainability aspects in society. On the other hand, considering the inherent risks of socio-ecological challenges, some key players worldwide are developing initiatives focusing on the contribution of the societal context to the business in an external–internal approach. Therefore, this research aims to propose an interactive meta-model of micro-foundations in SBMI and to detail the dynamics of territory and ecosystems that combine the internal–external and external–internal approaches. Utilizing a qualitative methodology, the analysis considers interviews of 22 experts directly engaged in leading sustainable transitions in two territories: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Wallonia, Belgium. These two territories were selected due to the heterogeneity of their contexts and sustainable transitions, with the aim of exploring divergent perspectives and the paradoxes between real systems and territories. The results are structured in 75 first-order and 16 second-order codes, and five aggregated dimensions. The conceptual model (Meta-MEI) and dynamic framework developed from these codes reflect a cosmo-local approach, providing indications on how the internal–external and external–internal approaches are interconnected, as well as highlighting the source’s leadership and inter-territorial stakeholders in incorporating sustainability from a holistic perspective. Future research should explore the meta-model validation in different territories.

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Author Biographies

Loann Astorino, Warocqué School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Engineering, University of Mons (UMONS), Mons, Belgium

Loann Astorino is a PhD candidate at the Warocqué School of Business and Economics (UMONS), within the Human Resources and Responsible Organization Department. His research focuses on eco-innovation, sustainable business model innovation (SBMI), and sustainable business ecosystems. As a teaching assistant, he is also involved in teaching activities in the fields of innovation management and sustainability in both Warocqué School of Business and Economics and Engineering Faculty of Mons.

Amanda Fernandes Xavier, Alberto Luiz Coimbra Institute for Graduate Studies and Research in Engineering (COPPE), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Amanda Xavier is a professor in the Production Engineering Program at Coppe-UFRJ and the founder and coordinator of Casulo, an advanced center focused on sustainability, local ecosystems, and governance. Her work covers sustainability governance (ESG), territorial impact strategies, local production chains, and ecosystem transitions. She also serves as the executive director of the Coppetec Foundation, leading multidisciplinary teams on sustainable chain and transition projects. She coordinates major international collaborations, including the Capes Brafitec (Brazil–France) and CONFAP-WBI (Brazil–Belgium) initiatives. She has been recognized as a Faperj Young Scientist of Our State.

Maria Clara Batista Santos, Alberto Luiz Coimbra Institute for Graduate Studies and Research in Engineering (COPPE), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Maria Clara Batista Santos is a substitute professor in the Industrial Engineering course at the Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO) and PhD student in the Production Engineering Programme (PEP) at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). Maria has experience in the areas of strategic planning, project management, eco-innovation and is a member of the Advanced Center for Sustainability, Local Ecosystems and Governance (Casulo/Coppe-UFRJ).

Luiz Antonio Silva, Alberto Luiz Coimbra Institute for Graduate Studies and Research in Engineering (COPPE), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Luiz Antonio da Silva Junior is a researcher at the Coppetec Foundation, working on research projects in partnership with public and private organizations in Brazil and abroad. He’s currently pursuing a PhD in production engineering at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). Luiz’s experience includes work with local production chains, clusters, project management, and fundraising. He’s also part of the Advanced Center for Sustainability, Local Ecosystems, and Governance (Casulo/Coppe-UFRJ).

Perrine Ferauge, Warocqué School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Engineering, University of Mons (UMONS), Mons, Belgium

Perrine Ferauge is associate professor at UMONS, in the Human Resources and Responsible Organization Department of the Warocqué School of Business and Economics. Her research covers CSR, eco-innovation, and sustainable business models. She actively teaches courses on sustainability, corporate responsibility, and responsible management.

Tharcisio Cotta Fontainha, Alberto Luiz Coimbra Institute for Graduate Studies and Research in Engineering (COPPE), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Tharcisio Cotta Fontainha is adjunct professor in the management and innovation area of the Production Engineering Program at Coppe-UFRJ. He works in teaching, research, and extension in the field of humanitarian aid and disasters, using a variety of scientific and practical approaches. His career is marked by collaborative projects leaded with some important institutions such as the Civil Defense of the State of Rio de Janeiro (DCERJ), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), or the World Bank.