Learning through co-configuration of a novel business model for sustainable innovation

Abstract

This paper analyses a network's learning through co-configuration. The co-configuration process of a novel business model - a cooperative - in a digital printing network demonstrates that the quest for sustainability in innovations sets the network participants a learning challenge. The study draws on the conceptualisation of object-oriented co-configuration and multi-level learning in the cultural-historical activity theory framework. It follows the network's object creation through six workshops by analysing the discursive breaks and turning points in the process of co-configuration. The key findings of the paper are the understanding that a sustainable business model is not a stable or final solution, but an adaptive process, which requires collective efforts from network participants on multiple levels. In order to become sustainable in various areas, including environmental, social and economic areas, novel business models should focus on learning. This study contributes to studies of work innovations by increasing the understanding and significance of learning through co-configuration for sustainable innovation in work life networks.