DSM was incorporated in the beginning of the 20th century as a mining company. With the depletion of Netherland’s coal resources, the company pivoted in the 1960s into a chemical company, producing fertilizer and plastics. By the end of the century, the company started successfully pivoting into life sciences, to support its growing focus on sustainability.
DSM: Transforming to a sustainable business model
Summary
DSM was incorporated in the beginning of the 20th century as a mining company. With the depletion of Netherland’s coal resources, the company pivot...
Reference
IMD-7-2254
Copyright
©2022
Copyright owner
IMD Copyright
Organization
Dutch State Mines
Industry
Manufacturing, Chemicals;Materials, Metals and Mining
Available Languages
English
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Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Ørsted: On the path to net zero
Summary
Until 2009, the Danish oil and gas company Orsted was a worldwide leader in energy production from fossil fuels. Spurred by the 2009 Copenhagen cli...
Reference
IMD-7-2253
Copyright
©2022
Copyright owner
IMD Copyright
Organization
Ørsted, Dong Energy, BP
Industry
Energy
Available Languages
English
Contact
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Boundary conditions for organizations in the Anthropocene: A review of the planetary boundaries framework 10 years on
Summary
We systematically review business research concerning the planetary boundaries framework: A natural science framework that identifies nine Earth system boundaries that govern the safe operating space for humanity. Ten years after the introduction ...
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Algorithms and ecosystems: AI in biodiversity conservation
Summary
The rise of AI-assisted tools will make it easier for businesses to engage with the complexities of nature and its ecosystems and will open up new opportunities for nature-related businesses.
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Candles Killer: Lighting up the world at the bottom of the pyramid
Summary
Shenzhen Power-Solution (SPS), founded in 2009 in China as an entrepreneurial venture, disrupted traditional lighting markets in African villages with its flagship product, Candles Killer. This solar lamp, priced under $5, replaces hazardous kerosene lamps and has an optimized design (9 components, water-bottle stands). The candles killer solar lamp addresses the critical need for affordable, safe and sustainable lighting for people at the bottom of the pyramid (BOP), a huge market that multinationals struggle to reach. By achieving both low cost and differentiation, SPS created a blue ocean market. The company has made remarkable progress in its mission to provide solar lighting to underserved communities: by 2023, it illuminated over 55 million people across 7.8 million households in 66 countries. Beyond social impact, SPS achieved environmental sustainability at scale, reducing cumulative carbon emissions by 6.7 million tons, the equivalent of planting 368 million evergreen trees. Candles Killer's success led SPS to expand its product line into a solar home system for phone charging and multi-bulb lighting. SPS also introduced Solar Media, a platform with pre-loaded content (medical tips, farming methods, education) to share vital knowledge in remote regions.
Reference
IMD-2661
Copyright
©2025
Copyright owner
IMD Copyright
Organization
Shenzhen Power-Solution
Industry
Energy;Utilities, Electricity Supply;Consumer Goods, Consumer Electronics
Available Languages
English
Contact
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Five Questions for Executives On Energy Transition
Summary
Should you lead or follow, move fast or slow, go it alone or seek partners? Here’s how to get the key decisions right when aiming for a sustainable transformation.
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How to get sustainable business transformation right
Summary
Sustainable corporate change is a challenging feat to pull off. Julia Binder examines the barriers and drivers of change to increase your chances of success.
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The new protein buzz: Can Legendary Foods Africa feed the world with insects
Summary
The case describes Legendary Foods Africa, a food-tech company founded in 2020 in Ghana by Canadian entrepreneur Shobhita Soor. Legendary Foods Africa is focused on farming, processing and selling palm weevil larvae products for human consumption. Palm weevil larvae, a traditional local food, are rich in protein, healthy fats and essential nutrients. The company’s mission is to provide affordable, sustainable and nutritious protein to local populations of West and Central Africa. Legendary Foods Africa uses innovative vertical farming techniques to cultivate larvae year-round. This method avoids having to rely on deforestation; in this way it provides efficient production with a minimal environmental footprint. The larvae are sold fresh or frozen as a meat and fish substitute but are also processed into protein-rich products like chili sauce and cookies, offering shelf-stable options for a wider audience. Four years after launch, the company had grown into a 70-person operation and was about to become profitable. Soor was considering various expansion strategies that included growing into new African and Asian markets, broadening the product range and shifting toward a business-to-business sales model. The company would need additional capital to scale production for its expansion plans.
Reference
IMD-7-2632
Copyright
©2025
Copyright owner
IMD Copyright
Organization
Legendary Foods Africa
Industry
Consumer Goods, Food and Beverage
Available Languages
English
Contact
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Environmental commitment: Do firms walk the talk? An exploratory study of Italian listed companies
Summary
This study investigates whether the recent surge in corporate disclosure of environmental commitment was followed by improvements in corporate environmental performance over time. Focusing on Italian listed companies in the period 2019–2022, the s...
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Are you using AI for a sustainable future?
Summary
As AI continues to reshape industries, businesses must navigate the balance between automation and human contribution. Take this short quiz to test your knowledge of its potential uses and check out our tips on collaborating for a sustainable futu...
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How to leave a sustainable legacy: 5 leadership keys
Summary
A five-step approach can help you foster a sustainable legacy while supporting a financially sound future for your organization. James Welch explains how it’s done.
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How to use design thinking to achieve sustainability goals
Summary
Implementing sustainability programs is notoriously difficult. Here’s how to use a stakeholder-centered design-thinking approach to boost the chances of successful implementation.
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