Purpose Business researchers can address climate challenges by developing solutions with high social impact. This study aims to propose a framework for how business researchers can shift their focus from theory development to contribute also practical solutions that increase the social impact of their work. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on prior literature and concepts related to creating social impact for climate change mitigation, the authors categorise current business research on pro-environmental behaviours into Mode 1 and Mode 2. Mode 1 focuses on theory development. Mode 2 emphasises practical implications. This study covers a wide range of pro-environmental behaviours across various business contexts. Findings The framework developed identifies five key factors that determine the social impact of business research: leveraging foundational theoretical knowledge, testing the impact of newly proposed solutions in field studies, measuring actual outcomes, collaborating with industry and policymakers and working across scholarly disciplines. Originality/value This framework offers business researchers guidance on designing Mode 2 research to maximise social impact. This framework serves as an essential resource for business researchers aiming to translate their theoretical knowledge into practical solutions.
Zhu et al. (2025) studied this question.