Entrepreneurship for Sustainability

Entrepreneurship (and intra-preneurship) can positively contribute to achieving sustainability, and indeed is quintessential to it. Bringing an essential dynamics, at individual, business, and societal levels, entrepreneurs drive economic growth. They also can foster environmental stewardship as well as social responsibility, providing livelihoods to many.

What we offer

Entrepreneurship for sustainability represents a dynamic convergence of promising opportunities and individuals equipped with a profound understanding of global socio-environmental and business challenges.

We examine the drivers propelling individuals towards sustainable entrepreneurship. These include gender, motivations, personal values, and deeply held beliefs that merge sustainability objectives into entrepreneurial pursuits.

The entrepreneurial journey towards sustainability can lead to an adoption of circular, growth, degrowth, and post-growth strategies, as businesses reconcile economic viability with environmental and social imperatives.

We also scrutinize the entrepreneurial business ecosystem characterized by an interplay of business, technological, cultural, and legal factors. Understanding the ecosystem enables us to help devise sustainable business practices and strategies.

The outcome of sustainable entrepreneurship is measured as impact on the environment, society, and the economy.

Key Publications

Emami, A., Ashourizadeh, S., & Packard, M. D. (2023). The impact of social network support on

opportunity intention among prospective male and female entrepreneurs during 2019-nCov

pandemic.International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research 29(11): 132-169.

Rossi, E. S., Materia, V. C., Caracciolo, F., Blasi, E., & Pascucci, S. (2023). Farmers in the transition towards sustainability: what is the role of their entrepreneurial identity?Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems7: 1196824.

Salimi, N., & ten Have, G. R. (2024). Aiding philanthropic venture capitalists investing in social enterprises: A multi‐criteria decision‐making approach.Journal of Philanthropy and Marketing29(1): e1834.

Trunina, A., Ashourizadeh, S., & Dai, H. (2023). The effect of human capital in start or stop a business in Norway and China: the moderating role of gender and context.European Journal of International Management21(2): 256-275.

Materia, V.C., Linnemann, A.R., Smid, E.J., Schoustra, S.E. (2021). Contribution of traditional fermented foods to food systems transformation: value addition and inclusive entrepreneurship Food Security 13: 1163–1177.

Olthaar, M., W. Dolfsma, C. Lutz &F. Noseleit (2019) "Strategic Resources and Smallholder Performance at the Bottom of the Pyramid" International Food and Agribusiness Management Review22(3): 365-380.