Abstract
We are living in unprecedented times in which sustainability is essential to economic growth, quality of life and national stability. In this context, Solidaridad y Trabajo Virgen del Camino (SOLTRA) emerges as an example of a firm in the fourth sector that has achieved the triple bottom line of sustainability: economic, social and environmental performance. Although SOLTRA’s current efforts are mainly focused on the social sphere through the recruitment and integration of people with disabilities into the company and, consequently, into the labour market and society, it also pursues environmental and economic objectives. In the present study, we analysed SOLTRA’s business model by applying the theory of planned behaviour and the resource-based view of the firm. The information derived from in-depth interviews with SOLTRA’s CEO and top managers from the operations and human resources departments, as well as public financial and social reports, allowed us to identify the cornerstones of its business model. The model is based on incremental technology, holistic behaviour and the integration of social activities that help identify better business opportunities. In this study, several implications for managers, policymakers and citizens are provided. These findings may contribute to the development of managerial practices that can help companies to achieve better outcomes by using new approaches to solving social and environmental problems and identifying new opportunities for vulnerable citizens.
Keywords
- Fourth sector
- Triple bottom line
- People with disabilities
- Sustainability
- Business model
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Notes
- 1.
ISO 9001: An international standard that focuses on all the elements of quality management that a company must have in order to have an effective system to manage and improve the quality of its products or services. ISO 14001: Internationally accepted standard that indicates how to implement an effective environmental management system. It is designed to help organizations remain commercially successful without overlooking their environmental responsibilities.
- 2.
IATF 16949: Quality Management System (QMS) standard specific to the automotive industry which is based on the international standard for Quality Management Systems according to ISO 9001.
- 3.
Real Decreto Legislativo 1/2013, November 29. Ley General de derechos de las personas con discapacidad y de su inclusión social. BOE núm. 289, 03/12/2013, 1–44. https://www.boe.es/eli/es/rdlg/2013/11/29/1/con
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Alonso-Martínez, D., Jiménez-Parra, B., Fernández-Gago, R. (2021). Disability as a Driving Force of Sustainable Business Models in the Fourth Sector. In: Sánchez-Hernández, M.I., Carvalho, L., Rego, C., Lucas, M.R., Noronha, A. (eds) Entrepreneurship in the Fourth Sector. Studies on Entrepreneurship, Structural Change and Industrial Dynamics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-68390-0_5
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