Sustainable Business Models, family, and non-family firms: A problematization

This study delves into the nuanced dynamics between family and non-family SMEs in Italy, particularly their approach to sustainable business models (SBMs) and community co-creation. Emphasizing the prevalent role of family-run SMEs in Italy, the paper explores how these entities leverage Socio-Emotional Wealth to contribute to community wealth, often resulting in more sustainable or long-term oriented business models. The discourse expands to the broader realm of SBMs, acknowledging their critical role in achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and addressing economic, environmental, and societal concerns. Despite the burgeoning research on SBMs, the paper identifies a critical gap: a lack of interrogation into the underlying assumptions of SBMs, limiting theoretical advancement. The authors advocate for a 'problematizing review,' challenging dominant assumptions and urging for reflexivity and broader, selective reading in literature reviews. This approach, they argue, is essential for transformative insights and genuine theoretical contributions in the realm of sustainable business practices.