Disrupting structural constraints. The influence of sustainable entrepreneurship on the transition towards a more sustainable economy

Masterarbeit , 2012 , 65 Seiten , Note: 8,0

BWL - Unternehmensethik, Wirtschaftsethik

For the last five decades, one important goal has driven the world economy: The pursuit of growth. As the economy expands, the resource implications associated with it cannot be ignored any longer. In less than a decade, we may face significant scarcity in key resources, such as oil. Out of scholarly discussion it emerged that a transition towards a new form of capitalist development is needed, a transition towards an economy which is in line with the objectives of a sustainable society. Sustainable entrepreneurship, a form of entrepreneurship that combines ecologic, social and economic sustainability, has been generally declared as suited to advance this so-called ‘sustainability transition’. However, scholars have neglected to investigate the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of such an assumption.

This Master Thesis aims at filling this research gap by answering the following research question:
In what way can sustainable entrepreneurship influence a transition towards a more sustainable economy?

In doing so, the thesis is structured into three different research papers, each using a different research method to reach the following goals:
1. Providing a concise definition of the term "sustainable entrepreneurship" and analysis of important key concepts
2. Developing a framework for the analysis of a bottom-up sector transition led by sustainable entrepreneurs using an institutional theory perspective
3. Applying the framework to the revealing case of the Fairtrade Movement to analyse a sector transition led by sustainable entrepreneurs

This research was performed not only to gain an in-depth understanding of the process of economical transitions but also to define methods that can by used by actual entrepreneurs in real life. It's goal is to not only to close a current research gap but to serve as a practical guide for changemakers of all kinds.

The research findings have therefore been used to to define five key insights that should be taken into account in order to influence economies towards more sustainability. The section "insights for entrepreneurs and decision makers" at the end of this thesis gives practical cues based on examples from the Fairtrade Movement but also a warning to time their actions wisely - because at a certain stage each transition gains a momentum which is very hard to influence by any of the actors involved.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Summary
• Introduction to this master thesis
• Paper 1: Key concepts of sustainable entrepreneurship and its potential to contribute to sustainable development.
• Introduction
• Entrepreneurship in the context of sustainable development
• Mapping sustainable development in the context of defining a ‘more sustainable economy’
• Economic, environmental and social sustainability: How three forms of entrepreneurship are connected to the goals of sustainable development
• The necessity of a triple bottom line for the pursuit of sustainable development objectives: Introducing sustainable entrepreneurship
• Defining sustainable entrepreneurship
• The discovery and exploitation of opportunities in a context of market failure.
• The initiation of societal and economic change towards sustainability
• Positioning sustainable entrepreneurship in the current debate on sustainable economic development
• Conclusion
• Discussion
• Paper 2: Developing a framework for the analysis of a bottom-up sector transition led by sustainable entrepreneurs: An institutional theory perspective
• Introduction
• Pathways of transition: Top-down vs. bottom-up
• Top-down: Governing transition management
• Bottom-up: The influence of sustainable entrepreneurship
• Changing a sector by transforming its underlying institutions
• Three pillars of institutional theory and how their misalignment can lead to institutional change.
• Key concepts of institutional theory
• The four phases of transition: Aligning the S-curve model with the concept of sustainable entrepreneurship
• Developing a framework to analyse the bottom-up transition of a sector
• Conclusions
• Discussion
• Paper 3: The influence of sustainable entrepreneurship on the transition of an industry: The case of Fair Trade.
• The global success of Fair Trade: A revealing case of a bottom-up transition
• Methods and analytical framework
• Applying the 3x4 transition analysis framework
• The six steps of analysis using the paradigm model of axial coding
• Analysis of the institutional change processes in industry transformation towards Fair Trade
• Transition phase 1: Creating awareness for a different form of trade.
• Transition phase 2: Active manipulation on all three institutional levels.
• Transition phase 3: Maximizing normative pressure on incumbents.
• Transition phase 4: The onset of isomorphism
• Main Findings: Insights for entrepreneurs and transition managers.
• Conclusions
• Discussion
• Conclusion to this master thesis.
• Table of References.

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This master thesis aims to investigate the influence of sustainable entrepreneurship on the transition towards a more sustainable economy. It explores the concept of sustainable entrepreneurship and its potential to contribute to sustainable development, focusing on how it can disrupt structural constraints and drive bottom-up sector transitions. The thesis delves into the theoretical framework of institutional theory to understand how sustainable entrepreneurs can influence institutional change and facilitate a transition towards a more sustainable economy.

• The role of sustainable entrepreneurship in driving a transition towards a more sustainable economy.
• The importance of understanding the interplay between sustainable entrepreneurship and institutional change.
• The application of institutional theory to analyze the bottom-up transition process led by sustainable entrepreneurs.
• The case study of Fair Trade as a revealing example of a sustainability transition initiated by sustainable entrepreneurs.
• The challenges and opportunities associated with achieving a sustainable economic development model.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Paper 1: Key concepts of sustainable entrepreneurship and its potential to contribute to sustainable development. This paper defines sustainable entrepreneurship and its potential to contribute to sustainable development. It explores the link between different forms of entrepreneurship and the objectives of sustainable development, highlighting the necessity of a triple bottom line approach.
• Paper 2: Developing a framework for the analysis of a bottom-up sector transition led by sustainable entrepreneurs: An institutional theory perspective. This paper develops a framework for analyzing bottom-up sector transitions driven by sustainable entrepreneurs, drawing upon institutional theory. It examines the interplay between sustainable entrepreneurship and institutional change, outlining the four phases of transition and the key concepts of institutional theory.
• Paper 3: The influence of sustainable entrepreneurship on the transition of an industry: The case of Fair Trade. This paper analyzes the Fair Trade movement as a case study of a bottom-up transition driven by sustainable entrepreneurs. It applies the framework developed in Paper 2 to understand the institutional change processes involved in the Fair Trade industry transformation, highlighting key insights for entrepreneurs and transition managers.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This master thesis focuses on the intersection of sustainable entrepreneurship, institutional change, and the transition towards a more sustainable economy. Key terms and concepts explored include: sustainable development, triple bottom line, bottom-up transition, institutional theory, cultural-cognitive institutions, normative institutions, regulative institutions, isomorphic processes, Fair Trade, and sustainable economic development.

• Hochschule: Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen (Nijmegen School of Management)
• Veranstaltung: International Management
• Note: 8,0
• Autor: Jamila Mohme (Autor:in)
• Erscheinungsjahr: 2012
• Seiten: 65
• Katalognummer: V303581
• ISBN (eBook): 9783668020832
• ISBN (Buch): 9783668020849
• Sprache: Englisch
• Schlagworte: sustainability, sustainable entrepreneurship, sustainable economy, transition management, entrepreneurship, changemakers, Nachhaltigkeit, Social enterprise, sustainable development