A framework of the bioeconomy as a competitive strategy for sustainable development

The study aims to develop a theoretically and practically informed framework of the bioeconomy as a strategy for sustainable development that integrates transition and strategic management concepts, bioeconomy strategy and business strategy. The study develops a transition-strategic management theoretical framework of the bioeconomy concept as a strategy for sustainable development, and qualitatively assesses the competitive bioeconomy framework’s multi-level factors and propositions through the lens of holistic national bioeconomy strategy documents. National bioeconomy strategies incorporate the framework’s factors and propositions, including the overarching proposition that bioeconomy transition management leads to the development of a competitive bioeconomy and bio-business strategies which result in measurable sustainable bioeconomy performance. The framework’s strategic reference points are enablers of bioeconomy strategic resonance which aligns bioeconomy and bio-business strategies. A competitive bioeconomy theory is proposed which suggests that bioeconomy transition management influences competitive bioeconomy and bio-business strategies to affect sustainable bioeconomy performance. Operationally, the development and implementation of competitive bioeconomy strategy require policy makers and stakeholders to have sustainability and multi-level perspectives and managers to consider bioeconomy risks and competitiveness as bioeconomy strategic reference points in business strategies. The study provides a new theoretical and operational perspective of the bioeconomy, in terms of strategy and sustainability, which integrates the theoretical, stated goals and scope levels to address the lack of multi-level management and integrative perspectives regarding bioeconomy transition and competitiveness.