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

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.