In addition to their economic legitimacy, companies are increasingly required to contribute to greater social and ecological sustainability. This requires strategic change on the corporate level, for example, in form of product, process or business model innovations. 

These demands  are contributing to increasing pressure for change in small, medium-sized and large companies. The required strategic change is usually associated with a significant input of resources and the implementation with economic risks. However, a strategic orientation according to sustainability criteria also opens access to new fields of activity, which can lead to product and service innovations or competitive advantages.