Abstract

The use of sustainable business model innovation (SBMI) is discussed in terms of addressing extreme poverty and the impact on the environment, according to five main themes. In the first theme, Social business model innovation, results showed that SBMI reflects SEOs’ strong mandate of commitment to sustainability, with the potential to renew this commitment through change readiness, knowledge, leadership, and trust.

In the second theme, SEOs eradicating extreme poverty, results confirmed that SEOs have the unique characteristic of generating spillovers. In combination with other stakeholders in the socio-entrepreneurial ecosystem, they could reach the middle and base tiers through collaborating and knowledge sharing and building capacity on the three levels of institutional governance, alternative financial instruments in innovative finance and SBMI.

In the third theme, results showed that SEOs have a strong mandate to Create value for the extreme poor through skills development courses, generate spillovers and reaching the middle and base tiers of alternative financial instruments and legal structures.

In the fourth theme, results also showed that SEOs have a strong mandate to Create value for the planet, generating income through the abundance of environmental opportunities such as recycling and upcycling that could revitalise the economy.

In the fifth and last theme, Strengthening partnerships, results showed that SEOs’ scientific, technological, and innovative approach in designing new products and services requires effort and determination. By generating their own revenue and keeping their target market in mind, as reflected in their social business models, they become part of socio-entrepreneurial ecosystems.