The authors of this research have done a great service to the field in identifying core elements of regenerative business models and elaborating a coherent framework that makes them distinct. Demonstrating the evolution of this field from sustainable, to circular, to regenerative, each facet is illustrated with examples of leaders in the practice, providing evidence and inspiration. As expected for study of early stages of the regenerative field, the study also reveals tensions between describing the component parts and finally expressing what holistic operations and outcomes look like. This is not a fault of the authors, but a reflection of the societal challenges and design challenges inherent in making such shifts. While the examples help to illustrate the characteristics, the parts do not make a whole. Most illustrative of this perhaps is the inclusion of indigenous voices in the focus group sessions. Their inclusion was important, but how they are included and evaluated leaves plenty of room for discussion.  

This work presents a clear base on which other studies can build.

By Jan Konietzko, Ankita Das, Nancy Bocken

HT David Hodgson, The Regeneration