Sustainable leadership and sustainable entrepreneurship: a systematic literature review

Abstract

The article aims to assess the connection between sustainable leadership and sustainable entrepreneurship, by providing a framework based on the main findings of the clusters relating the effectiveness of that connection. Using the Web of Science databases and applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 149 articles were retrieved and analysed. The bibliometric analysis was conducted using R-Studio software. The main findings unveil that sustainable leadership and sustainable entrepreneurship are interrelated concepts that play a key role in promoting responsible business practices and formulating solutions to contemporary socio-environmental challenges. The study’s main contribution lies in highlighting the importance of knowledge about sustainable leadership, sustainable entrepreneurship and their links. In practical terms, analysis of the connection between sustainable leadership and sustainable entrepreneurship reveals how the former plays an important role in promoting the latter, inspiring and supporting entrepreneurs in the adoption of sustainable practices, generating a positive socio-environmental impact as well as economic value for the firm. There is a need for more research on sustainable leadership, especially correlating its effectiveness in promoting sustainable entrepreneurship.