Title: Environmental orientation among nascent and established entrepreneurs: an empirical analysis of differences and their causes

Authors: Jacob Hörisch; Jana Kollat; Steven A. Brieger

Addresses: Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Universitätsallee 1, 21335, Lüneburg, Germany ' Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Universitätsallee 1, 21335, Lüneburg, Germany ' School of Business, Management and Economics, University of Sussex, Jubilee Building, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9SL, UK

Abstract: This paper investigates differences between nascent and established entrepreneurs with regard to their ventures' environmental orientation. Based on quantitative data of more than 10,000 entrepreneurs, analyses of variance (ANOVA) are conducted. The results show that the average environmental orientation is significantly higher among nascent than among established entrepreneurs. Variables are identified which influence the magnitude of these differences, as they exert different effects on environmental orientation among nascent and established entrepreneurs, such as household income or media reports. Based on the findings, implications for policymakers, entrepreneurs as well as for entrepreneurship education are drawn to use the potential of nascent environmental entrepreneurs more comprehensively. For instance, teaching institutions need to give realistic impressions of the challenges and potentials of environmental entrepreneurship. Similarly, environmental entrepreneurs should think about the specific challenges connected with environmentally-oriented ventures, such as potential trade-offs between environmental and economic objectives, at early stages of their entrepreneurial activity.

Keywords: environmental entrepreneurship; environmental orientation; global entrepreneurship monitor; GEM; established entrepreneurship; trade-offs; nascent entrepreneurship; entrepreneurship; sustainability; firm age.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEV.2019.101623

International Journal of Entrepreneurial Venturing, 2019 Vol.11 No.4, pp.373 - 393

Received: 04 Sep 2017
Accepted: 02 Feb 2018
Published online: 16 Aug 2019 *

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