Regenerative Business Strategies and Sustainability
Chapter from the book: Mücevher, M. H. (ed.) 2025. New Concept and Theory Proposals for Management Science.

Sinem Sönmez
Bingöl University

Synopsis

Since mankind realized that he is not the master of nature but a part of it, significant steps have been taken in the organizational context. One of these is the systems approach, which forms the foundation of many modern theories and emerged for the first time in connection with biology. The systems approach, in its simplest form, fully and accurately describes the functions of the parts within a whole. Another concept that developed in this context and was first introduced in biology is the "regenerative" strategy, which has been present in literature for the last 50 years. This concept, mostly found in foreign sources, is considered relatively new in our country. "Regenerative Strategy" was initially used in biology, but over time, it has also been adopted in fields such as natural sciences, the environment, construction, and architecture, with significant research conducted in these areas. Today, it is gaining prominence in the organizational context, particularly concerning business models. In this regard, it has begun to be evaluated within the concept of sustainability, alongside the systems approach. As an integral part of sustainability, the regenerative strategy is becoming increasingly important in today's business world. For this reason, it is crucial to understand it well in both academic and practical settings. Given the anticipated increase in studies on this subject, this paper aims to contribute to the emerging literature in this direction.

The study addresses the concept of regenerative strategy, which goes beyond traditional sustainable business strategies to contribute to the self-renewal processes of ecosystems. While traditional sustainability mainly focuses on minimizing environmental and social harm, regenerative strategies encourage businesses to create a positive impact on nature and society. This approach refers to a systematic transformation that enables businesses to not only achieve economic gains but also contribute to the long-term development of ecosystems and social structures.

The relationship between the regenerative strategy and the systems approach is examined in this study, with an exploration of the transformations occurring in the business world in the context of sustainability. Business model development is assessed through three distinct waves. In the first wave, businesses prioritized economic gains while neglecting environmental and social impacts. In the second wave, sustainability began to be viewed as a source of competitive advantage, but mostly from a cost-management perspective. The third wave, shaped by the rise of regenerative strategies, aims to help businesses develop structures that support ecosystems. Finally, the study focuses on three key principles for implementing regenerative business strategies: understanding, purpose, and action. Businesses must understand the functioning of ecosystems, develop a sustainable vision, and implement effective actions to achieve regenerative transformation. This study provides a theoretical framework for the applicability of regenerative strategies in both academic and business contexts.

How to cite this book

Sönmez, S. (2025). Regenerative Business Strategies and Sustainability. In: Mücevher, M. H. (ed.), New Concept and Theory Proposals for Management Science. Özgür Publications. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58830/ozgur.pub699.c2978

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Published

March 25, 2025

DOI