Open Access

Manuel Lämmle

• Abstract This chapter presents a comprehensive exploration of the technological dimensions for developing and innovating sustainable business models. Historically, sustainability frameworks have centered around three key dimensions—environmental, social, and economic—as introduced in the Brundtland report from 1987 and further reinforced by the UN Sustainable Development Goals. TechnologicalAbstract This chapter presents a comprehensive exploration of the technological dimensions for developing and innovating sustainable business models. Historically, sustainability frameworks have centered around three key dimensions—environmental, social, and economic—as introduced in the Brundtland report from 1987 and further reinforced by the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Technological dimensions of sustainability are often overlooked, despite rapid technological and digital innovations and the increasing significance of technology in enabling or hindering sustainability. Focusing on the technological domains of energy, materials, and the circular economy, this chapter highlights their relevance in conserving resources and driving circular business concepts. Digital technologies—such as data science, machine learning (ML), and digital twins—are emphasized as cross-disciplinary tools that enable, accelerate, and optimize digital processes. These four technological dimensions are methodologically derived from the broader definition of sustainability in the context of technology. The chapter also outlines the core competencies required for sustainability leaders, proposing a T-shaped skill model that combines broad technological literacy with deep sustainability expertise. In doing so, the technological sustainability framework serves as the curricular foundation for the technology pillar in the trinational study program “Sustainable Business Development” at Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz (FHNW), Hochschule Offenburg, and EM Strasbourg Business School.…