10445: Relational Business Models: Emerging Issues and Perspectives

This panel will explore pressing social and environmental challenges reshaping business models and stakeholder relationships. Organizations face mounting pressures to navigate digital transformation, geopolitical instability, and increasing demands for workplace inclusion, alongside the urgent need to address climate change and environmental degradation. Scholars suggest that relational business models, which prioritize long-term, trust-based stakeholder engagement over short-term economic exchanges can contribute to addressing these challenges. However, this stakeholder-centric approach presents significant challenges, particularly the need to harmonize diverse stakeholder interests. Moderated by Prof. Harry J. Van Buren III and Dr. Tracey Dodd, this panel symposium will foster critical dialogue on how businesses and society can navigate these complexities. Prof. Donald (Don) Lange will discuss stakeholder strategy and corporate responsibility, while Prof. Stefan Schaltegger will examine relational business models within the context of sustainability and stakeholder theory. Prof. Bidhan (Bobby) Parmar will explore decision-making under uncertainty and creating value for stakeholders, and Prof. Ana María Peredo will highlight social and inclusive entrepreneurship, focusing on alternative economies and their societal impact. Finally, Assistant Prof. Lauren Kaufmann will share insights on gender and social impact, and Prof. Sabine Bacouel-Jentjens will address cross-cultural and workforce dynamics. Together, these discussions will provide a critical and diverse perspective on how organizations can tackle global challenges through innovative approaches to inspire future research and practice.