Exploring the relation between individual moral antecedents and entrepreneurial opportunity recognition for sustainable development. (20th January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ploum, Lisa; Blok, Vincent; Lans, Thomas; Omta, Onno
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 172(2018)
• Page Start: 1582
• Page End: 1591
• Publication Date: 2018-01-20
• Subjects: Opportunity recognition for sustainable development -- Sustainable entrepreneurship -- Moral competence -- Pro-environmental behavior values; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.10.296
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: When dealing with complex value-driven problems such as sustainable development, individuals need to have values and norms that go beyond the appropriation of tangible business outcomes for themselves. This raises the question of the role played by individual moral antecedents in the entrepreneurial process of opportunity recognition for sustainable development. To answer this question, an exploratory empirical research design was used in which 96 would-be entrepreneurs were subjected to real-life decision-making processes in an online environment. The participants were guided through the process of opportunity recognition for sustainable development. Furthermore, they were subjected to several tests linked to individual moral antecedents. The mixed methods design used to analyze the results led to the conclusion that pro-environmental behavior values and moral competencies are important indicators of the ability to recognize opportunities for sustainable development. These results provide useful insights about relating moral antecedents to idea generation for sustainable development and can help researchers, higher education institutes, and sustainable entrepreneurs to further develop the concept of sustainable entrepreneurship and its underlying processes. Highlights: Pro-environment values are important for recognizing opportunities for SD. Moral competencies are needed to recognize opportunities for SD. Altruism is not decisive for recognizing opportunities for SD. Patzelt and Shepherd's (2011) well-known model should be refined. SD should be an integrated aspect of entrepreneurship education.