Sustainable Entrepreneurship: A Convergent Process Model

Abstract

Sustainable entrepreneurship pursues a triple bottom line approach of economic, social and ecological goals. The main aim of this paper is to add to our understanding of the process of sustainable entrepreneurship. Since the field of sustainable entrepreneurship is in a nascent stage, we conduct a qualitative study. We employ a multiple case study design to build theory. Based on four case studies we develop a model, which describes the process of sustainable entrepreneurship, including six phases: 1) recognizing a social or ecological problem; 2) recognizing a social or ecological opportunity; 3) developing a double bottom line solution; 4) developing a triple bottom line solution; 5) funding and forming of a sustainable enterprise; 6) creating or entering a sustainable market. By developing a convergent process model with two pathways, we make theoretical contributions to the emerging fields of sustainable entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship. A key finding is that the triple bottom line of ecological, social and economic goals is integrated sequentially, not simultaneously. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

Crafting Sustainable Development Solutions: Frugal Innovations of Grassroots Entrepreneurs

“…On the other hand, from the data collected it emerges that this approach is far from being planned and formalised in terms of static structures or routines, but rather is similar to what was observed by Belz & Binder [127], in that it was shaped by cultural and local contingencies. In other words, in most of the cases, the sustainability and the economic goals appear to spring naturally from the desire of the innovator to improve the daily life of their communities.…”

Factors Affecting Entrepreneurship and Business Sustainability

“…Business factors are the most important factors. Sustainable entrepreneurship does not only address altruistic factors; sustainable entrepreneurs can arise in a sustainable environment where markets are driven by sustainability [4,21,22,57]. Furthermore, among the behavioral factors, entrepreneurship must draw on shared and individual leadership and universal ethical criteria.…”

“…At the same time, through its goal of improving the environment and advancing social wellbeing, sustainable entrepreneurship can also effect structural social transformations and promote sustainable technologies associated with these sustainable initiatives [4]. These outcomes have been reported in, for example, Spain [21], Finland and Germany [22], and the US [4]. Sustainable entrepreneurship can thus provide a social and economic solution for transforming and steering entrepreneurial initiatives toward sustainability.…”

Sustainable Entrepreneurial Orientation: A Business Strategic Approach for Sustainable Development

“…In academic circles, there is consolidated recognition that sustainability issues are inextricably intertwined with the practice of entrepreneurship [19][20][21], but understanding of exactly how entrepreneurial organizations can develop the opportunities presented by sustainable development not covered in current markets is still at a very early stage [22,23].…”