Sustainable Business Models for Creative Startups in the Digital Era

Loso Judijanto (1), Khamaludin Khamaludin (2), Mahmudin Mahmudin (3), Ma’rifani Fitri Arisa (4)
(1) IPOSS Jakarta, Indonesia,
(2) Universitas Islam Syekh-Yusuf, Indonesia,
(3) Universitas Islam Syekh-Yusuf, Indonesia,
(4) Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

The rise of the digital era has transformed the way businesses operate, especially for startups in the creative industries. As digital technologies reshape market dynamics, the need for sustainable business models that can adapt to rapid changes and ensure long-term success has become crucial. Creative startups, often operating in a highly competitive and fast-evolving environment, face unique challenges in maintaining financial stability while staying innovative. This research aims to explore sustainable business models for creative startups in the digital era, identifying strategies that can drive growth, profitability, and resilience. The study uses a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative case studies of successful creative startups with quantitative surveys to assess common practices and challenges. Findings reveal that startups employing flexible, customer-centric business models, leveraging digital tools for global reach, and emphasizing continuous innovation are more likely to achieve sustainability. Moreover, the integration of sustainable practices, such as environmentally conscious production and ethical business strategies, has shown to contribute to long-term success. The study concludes that creative startups in the digital era must adopt adaptable, tech-driven business models that prioritize customer engagement and sustainability. By embracing digital transformation, startups can not only survive but thrive in a rapidly changing business landscape.


 

Full text article

Generated from XML file

References

Bélanger, F., & James, T. L. (2020). A Theory of Multilevel Information Privacy Management for the Digital Era. Information Systems Research, 31(2), 510–536. https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.2019.0900

Bocken, N. M. P., & Geradts, T. H. J. (2020). Barriers and drivers to sustainable business model innovation: Organization design and dynamic capabilities. Long Range Planning, 53(4), 101950. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lrp.2019.101950

Brillinger, A.-S., Els, C., Schäfer, B., & Bender, B. (2020). Business model risk and uncertainty factors: Toward building and maintaining profitable and sustainable business models. Business Horizons, 63(1), 121–130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2019.09.009

Busca, L., & Bertrandias, L. (2020). A Framework for Digital Marketing Research: Investigating the Four Cultural Eras of Digital Marketing. Journal of Interactive Marketing, 49(1), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intmar.2019.08.002

Cardoni, A., Kiseleva, E., & Lombardi, R. (2020). A sustainable governance model to prevent corporate corruption: Integrating anticorruption practices, corporate strategy and business processes. Business Strategy and the Environment, 29(3), 1173–1185. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2424

Cheah, S., & Ho, Y.-P. (2019). Coworking and Sustainable Business Model Innovation in Young Firms. Sustainability, 11(10), 2959. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11102959

Chun, S.-H. (2019). Cloud Services and Pricing Strategies for Sustainable Business Models: Analytical and Numerical Approaches. Sustainability, 12(1), 49. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12010049

Collins, H., & Saliba, C. (2020). Connecting people to purpose builds a sustainable business model at Bark House. Global Business and Organizational Excellence, 39(3), 29–37. https://doi.org/10.1002/joe.21992

Di Vaio, A., Boccia, F., Landriani, L., & Palladino, R. (2020). Artificial Intelligence in the Agri-Food System: Rethinking Sustainable Business Models in the COVID-19 Scenario. Sustainability, 12(12), 4851. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12124851

Di Vaio, A., Palladino, R., Hassan, R., & Escobar, O. (2020). Artificial intelligence and business models in the sustainable development goals perspective: A systematic literature review. Journal of Business Research, 121, 283–314. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.08.019

Dijkstra, H., Van Beukering, P., & Brouwer, R. (2020). Business models and sustainable plastic management: A systematic review of the literature. Journal of Cleaner Production, 258, 120967. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120967

Elmustapha, H., & Hoppe, T. (2020). Challenges and Opportunities of Business Models in Sustainable Transitions: Evidence from Solar Energy Niche Development in Lebanon. Energies, 13(3), 670. https://doi.org/10.3390/en13030670

Fraser, A. (2019). Curating digital geographies in an era of data colonialism. Geoforum, 104, 193–200. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2019.04.027

Gielens, K., & Steenkamp, J.-B. E. M. (2019). Branding in the era of digital (dis)intermediation. International Journal of Research in Marketing, 36(3), 367–384. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijresmar.2019.01.005

Guzzo, D., Carvalho, M. M., Balkenende, R., & Mascarenhas, J. (2020). Circular business models in the medical device industry: Paths towards sustainable healthcare. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 160, 104904. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.104904

Jiang, X. (2020). Digital economy in the post-pandemic era. Journal of Chinese Economic and Business Studies, 18(4), 333–339. https://doi.org/10.1080/14765284.2020.1855066

Joshi, M. P., Kathuria, R., & Das, S. (2019). Corporate Entrepreneurship in the Digital Era: The Cascading Effect through Operations. The Journal of Entrepreneurship, 28(1), 4–34. https://doi.org/10.1177/0971355718810554

Kim, C., Prabhu, A. V., Hansberry, D. R., Agarwal, N., Heron, D. E., & Beriwal, S. (2019). Digital Era of Mobile Communications and Smartphones: A Novel Analysis of Patient Comprehension of Cancer-Related Information Available Through Mobile Applications. Cancer Investigation, 37(3), 127–133. https://doi.org/10.1080/07357907.2019.1572760

Knol, J., & Keller, D. S. (2019). Cognitive skills training in digital era: A paradigm shift in surgical education using the TaTME model. The Surgeon, 17(1), 28–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surge.2018.03.008

La Torre, M., Trotta, A., Chiappini, H., & Rizzello, A. (2019). Business Models for Sustainable Finance: The Case Study of Social Impact Bonds. Sustainability, 11(7), 1887. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11071887

Laitsou, E., Kargas, A., & Varoutas, D. (2020). Digital Competitiveness in the European Union Era: The Greek Case. Economies, 8(4), 85. https://doi.org/10.3390/economies8040085

Li, C., Cui, Z., Chen, J., & Zhou, N. (2019). Brand Revitalization of Heritage Enterprises for Cultural Sustainability in the Digital Era: A Case Study in China. Sustainability, 11(6), 1769. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11061769

Madsen, H. L. (2020). Business model innovation and the global ecosystem for sustainable development. Journal of Cleaner Production, 247, 119102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119102

Maffei, A., Grahn, S., & Nuur, C. (2019). Characterization of the impact of digitalization on the adoption of sustainable business models in manufacturing. Procedia CIRP, 81, 765–770. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procir.2019.03.191

Matzembacher, D. E., Raudsaar, M., Barcellos, M. D. D., & Mets, T. (2020). Business Models’ Innovations to Overcome Hybridity-Related Tensions in Sustainable Entrepreneurship. Sustainability, 12(11), 4503. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12114503

Minatogawa, V., Franco, M., Durán, O., Quadros, R., Holgado, M., & Batocchio, A. (2020). Carving out New Business Models in a Small Company through Contextual Ambidexterity: The Case of a Sustainable Company. Sustainability, 12(6), 2337. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12062337

Muñoz?Torres, M. J., Fernández?Izquierdo, M. Á., Rivera?Lirio, J. M., & Escrig?Olmedo, E. (2019). Can environmental, social, and governance rating agencies favor business models that promote a more sustainable development? Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 26(2), 439–452. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.1695

Rosales, A., & Fernández-Ardèvol, M. (2020). Ageism in the era of digital platforms. Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies, 26(5–6), 1074–1087. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354856520930905

Shakeel, J., Mardani, A., Chofreh, A. G., Goni, F. A., & Klemeš, J. J. (2020). Anatomy of sustainable business model innovation. Journal of Cleaner Production, 261, 121201. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.121201

Shashi, Centobelli, P., Cerchione, R., & Ertz, M. (2020). Agile supply chain management: Where did it come from and where will it go in the era of digital transformation? Industrial Marketing Management, 90, 324–345. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2020.07.011

Shawky, S., Kubacki, K., Dietrich, T., & Weaven, S. (2020). A dynamic framework for managing customer engagement on social media. Journal of Business Research, 121, 567–577. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.03.030

So, K. K. F., Li, X. (Robert), & Kim, H. (2020). A Decade of Customer Engagement Research in Hospitality and Tourism: A Systematic Review and Research Agenda. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research, 44(2), 178–200. https://doi.org/10.1177/1096348019895562

Stagg, H. R., Flook, M., Martinecz, A., Kielmann, K., Abel Zur Wiesch, P., Karat, A. S., Lipman, M. C. I., Sloan, D. J., Walker, E. F., & Fielding, K. L. (2020). All nonadherence is equal but is some more equal than others? Tuberculosis in the digital era. ERJ Open Research, 6(4), 00315–02020. https://doi.org/10.1183/23120541.00315-2020

Štrukelj, T., Nikoli?, J., Zlatanovi?, D., & Sternad Zabukovšek, S. (2020). A Strategic Model for Sustainable Business Policy Development. Sustainability, 12(2), 526. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12020526

Tunn, V. S. C., Bocken, N. M. P., Van Den Hende, E. A., & Schoormans, J. P. L. (2019). Business models for sustainable consumption in the circular economy: An expert study. Journal of Cleaner Production, 212, 324–333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.11.290

Ulvenblad, P., Ulvenblad, P., & Tell, J. (2019). An overview of sustainable business models for innovation in Swedish agri-food production. Journal of Integrative Environmental Sciences, 16(1), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/1943815X.2018.1554590

Wang, H., & Sparks, C. (2019). Chinese Newspaper Groups in the Digital Era: The Resurgence of the Party Press. Journal of Communication, 69(1), 94–119. https://doi.org/10.1093/joc/jqy061

Wang, W. Y. C., & Wang, Y. (2020). Analytics in the era of big data: The digital transformations and value creation in industrial marketing. Industrial Marketing Management, 86, 12–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2020.01.005

Yammouni, R., & Evans, B. J. (2020). An investigation of low power convex lenses (adds) for eyestrain in the digital age (CLEDA). Journal of Optometry, 13(3), 198–209. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optom.2019.12.006

Zucchella, A., & Previtali, P. (2019). Circular business models for sustainable development: A “waste is food” restorative ecosystem. Business Strategy and the Environment, 28(2), 274–285. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2216

Authors

Loso Judijanto
losojudijantobumn@gmail.com (Primary Contact)
Khamaludin Khamaludin
Mahmudin Mahmudin
Ma’rifani Fitri Arisa
Judijanto, L., Khamaludin, K., Mahmudin, M., & Arisa, M. F. (2025). Sustainable Business Models for Creative Startups in the Digital Era. Journal of Social Entrepreneurship and Creative Technology, 2(1), 47–57. https://doi.org/10.70177/jseact.v2i1.2055

Article Details