Sustainability and Entrepreneurial Action

Abstract

Objectives - This paper explores how entrepreneurial action can lead to environmental sustainability. It builds on the assumption that the creation of sustainble practices is one of the most important challenges facing the global society, and that entrepreneurial action is a vital instrument in the pursuit of sustainability.

 Prior Work - Extant literature identifies two main approaches to sustainable entrepreneurship. (i) traditional exploitation of environmentally relevant opportunities and (ii) institutional entrepreneurship creating opportunities. We identify a novel form: resource oriented sustainable entrepreneurial action.

 Approach - The paper uses a case study approach to build deeper theoretical knowledge of environmentally sustainable entrepreneurship.

 Results - The paper identifies and analyses a distinct form of sustainable entrepreneurship -  resource oriented entrepreneurship - which uses bricolage in various ways to create sustainable solutions.

Implications and value - The concept of resource oriented sustainable entrepreneurship contributes to the theoretical understanding of how entrepreneurial action can support sustainability, Furthermore the case study has significant learning points for practitioners and academics alike.