Rudolf SCHNEE :Towards a Conceptual Framework of Sustainable Business Models for Electromobility

Abstract : The desire of the population for environmentally friendly mobility without burdening social fairness and human rights is constantly increasing and the achievements and conveniences in mobility that have been reached so far are to be safeguarded. A solution for this can be electromobility along with new business models to support it. The question is: what kind of business model is able to fully develop the potential of electromobility?
The aim of the thesis is to contribute to the literature on sustainable business models through the lens of the fast-growing market of electromobility. For this purpose, the concept of electromobility is analyzed and defined in a comprehensive manner. Also, the key elements of electromobility are revealed, underlining the basic principles of value proposition for customers.
Electromobility is based on new technologies. However, it is shown that technology alone is not sufficient and the business model is an essential vector of innovation. Conventional and sustainable business models are discussed. The latter have a special significance for electromobility, as they already consider the environmental and social aspects of business alongside the economic one.
A new framework in order to analyze and/or to design sustainable business models for electromobility is proposed. It allows to better support the specific key values of electromobility. The framework of sustainable business models for electromobility (SBMEM) has to be based on close cooperation between producers, suppliers, and providers. An ecosystem has to be formed in which the individual value chains of the involved companies in electromobility are interlinked; they contribute all together to the value proposition and the value creation and delivery. In the framework, the environmental, social and economic dimensions are transversal to the basic elements “value proposition”, “value creation and delivery” and “value capture”, considered on the basis of a comprehensive ecosystem.
The framework of SBMEM is then used to analyze different existing business models of electromobility. It is shown that the latter are not sufficient for the success of electromobility because they take too little or no account of all of the environmental, social and economic aspects of the innovation.
The theoretical framework developed in this study contributes to the architecture of electromobility business model and aims to broaden the understanding of the role and applicability of business models in sustainability-oriented innovations and services. This framework is intended to enable the design of new sustainable business models for electromobility or to review existing business models and draw conclusions on which measures will make them more sustainable.
This new framework enables companies to find a compromise between the different dimensions of the approach. In doing so, they can satisfy the growing needs of the population regarding mobility, the preservation of environment and social fairness while achieving their business objectives.
The proposed SBMEM framework was discussed based on five case studies. It reveals to be a valuable tool both to analyze existing business models and to structure business models for future businesses.

Jury Composition :

Nathalie KROICHVILI, Professeur des universités, Université Bourgogne - Franche-Comté, PhD Director

Daniela CHRENKO, Maîtresse de conférences, Université Bourgogne - Franche-Comté, PhD Co-Director

Reiner KRIESTEN, Professor, University of Applied Science Karlsruhe, PhD Co-Director

Christian SCHAEFFER, Professeur des universités, Groupe Grenoble INP - Grenoble Institute of Technology, Reviewer

Andreas GRÖSSLER, Full professor, Université de Stuttgart, Reporter

Rémi MANIAK, Professeur des universités, Ecole Polytechnique, Reporter

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