Development and Validation of a Scale for Measuring Sustainability Factors of Informal Microenterprises – A Qualitative and Quantitative Approach

Abstract

The growing interest in sustainability has dominated the area of entrepreneurship research. However, the measuring of sustainability factors has been largely ignored. As a result, so far, no researchers have developed sustainability factor scales and this might lead to a question of scale validity. This paper attempts to fill this gap: the aim of this study is to develop and validate scales of sustainability factor by investigating a microenterprise from the informal sector. In its design, the study uses a mixed method research approach. In the qualitative phase, content analysis has been applied to analyse the transcribed field study interviews. This procedure explores and confirms the sustainability variables and factors. The quantitative data are analysed through Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) followed by Partial Least Square (PLS) approach. Quantitative analysis then validates the variables and factors. The study then specifies scales of sustainability factors in the context of an informal microenterprise and assesses them as reflective in nature. The limitations of the study are then identified and thoughts to stimulate future investigations discussed.

Employee’s green behavior for environmental sustainability: a case of banking sector in Pakistan

“…Response rate in this study is 78 percent. Khan and Quaddus (2015) having 15 items was used to measure ES. This scale measures sustainability in terms of economic, social and environmental sustainability.…”

Identifying environmental and economic development factors in sustainable entrepreneurship over time by partial least squares (PLS)

“…It focuses mainly on preserving nature, life support and community welfare by searching for opportunities in the environment/market to develop products and services with or without economic gains [6]. Sustainability can be analysed through economic factors, social factors and environmental factors [15]. Economic factors involve indicators related to employment, increasing sales, income stability and profitability [15,16].…”

“…Sustainability can be analysed through economic factors, social factors and environmental factors [15]. Economic factors involve indicators related to employment, increasing sales, income stability and profitability [15,16]. Social factors involve measures related to basic needs, social recognition, empowerment, freedom, control and child labour.…”

Analysis of the Consciousness of University Undergraduates for Sustainable Consumption

“…The measurement of sustainability was made by considering its three dimensions, but insufficient research has been conducted on how to measure sustainable behavior by developing and validating scales of sustainability constructs [1].…”

“…Sustainability is an issue that has been analyzed by many researchers, but there has been insufficient research on how to measure sustainable behavior as well as develop and validate scales of sustainability constructs with respect to the measurement model [1]. Some authors have considered and explored different parts of responsible consumption through different scales [2][3][4].…”