Sustainable Adaptation of Companies Through Financial Markets

Abstract

AbstractThis chapter presents the concept of sustainable adaptation, based on a literature review. The chapter discusses the importance of financial markets for the firm to adapt its business model under conditions of threat as well as opportunity. The factors influencing the choice of a bank by an enterprise were identified, and it was described to what extent the cooperation with the bank influences the business model of the enterprise. The motives of sustainable business adaptation are explained. The adaptation processes are assessed taking into account their impact on sustainable value. The chapter is aimed at assessing the impact of financial markets on building sustainable value in business models of enterprises in the context of sustainable adaptation. The research methods used in this study relied on literature review, case study, and triangulation. The chapter discusses the importance of financial markets in the process of transforming business models of enterprises towards building sustainable value. It describes the tools that financial markets can use to influence the business models of enterprises (product offer, dedicated financial products, margin policy). The factors influencing the decisions about choosing the bank were identified, and it was described how the cooperation with the bank changed the functioning of the company. The study shows that entrepreneurs are aware of the impact of financial markets on their business activities, but they do not see the potential of banks as advisors in building sustainable value in the business model. Among the archetypes highlighted by entrepreneurs to build sustainable business models, the dominant one is based on the social factor.