How to embed the Sustainable Development Goals in the strategy of a company? Review of circular business models and assessment of their sustainability and how SDGs and CBMs enable to create business value and competitive advantage? The case of the Agricultural Sector.

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Supervisors: Desmet, Carlos
Faculty: Louvain School of Management
Degree label: Master [120] en ingénieur de gestion
Abstract: Our present society cannot continue to function as it does today, knowing that the world's population continues to grow. New systems must be put in place to ensure access to healthy and sustainable food for all. That is why this study focuses on the agricultural sector and the different ways in which the current agricultural system can be transformed towards a more sustainable one. This research master’s thesis studies three main topics: how companies operating in the agricultural sector embed the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in their strategy, review of circular business models (CBMs) these companies implement and the value and competitive advantage generated for the business following the implementation of the SDGs and CBMs. In order to analyze these subjects, a literature review on the SDGs, the agricultural sector, corporate strategy, circular business models and value and competitive advantage was confronted with a multiple case study conducted within five companies. This provided answers to these three research questions but also interesting avenues for future research.