Characteristics of the leaders of social and environmental enterprises in Latin America and the relationship with the success of their businesses

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to understand the leadership characteristics of founders of social and environmental enterprises in Latin America who have achieved business success with a focus on sustainability despite difficult social, economic, political and even health contexts in which they live. Design/methodology/approach This nonexperimental research is a qualitative, descriptive and exploratory study. Twenty-one in-depth interviews were conducted with social/environmental entrepreneurs of the Kunan Network (an organization that groups the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Peru). Findings The study analyzes the leadership profile and characteristics of entrepreneurs who have created profitable businesses with a social/environmental focus that solve relevant social problems and contribute to improving people’s quality of life and caring for the environment. Research limitations/implications Although only 21 business leaders with outstanding participation and positive social and environmental impact were included in this study, they were supported and recognized by the Kunan Network. Originality/value The study contributed to the conceptualization and understanding of the profile of leaders of social and environmental enterprises, whose main challenges are to solve social or environmental problems of society and contribute to improving the quality of life of people and the environment. Knowing the profile of these entrepreneurs generates value to the knowledge of the subject and contributes to understand and propose strategies to improve the ecosystem of social-environmental entrepreneurship in emerging countries such as Peru. This will contribute to the creation of relationships and alliances with various social actors: public, private, third sector, academia, among others, for the management and promotion of sustainable business.

Guest editorial: Sustainable entrepreneurship: a new approach in Latin America and the Caribbean

“…These traits align with Bird's (2017) global leadership competencies, including vision, strategic thinking, valuing people and having a global mindset. Ramirez Lozano et al (2024) underscore the importance of these traits in fostering sustainable and impactful businesses in emerging economies such as Peru.…”

“…In the third manuscript of the special issue, Ramirez Lozano et al (2024) examined the leadership characteristics of successful social and environmental entrepreneurs in LAC. Their study emphasizes the importance of understanding these leadership profiles to grasp their success and community impact.…”

“…Ramirez Lozano et al (2024) conducted 21 in-depth interviews with social and environmental entrepreneurs in the Kunan Network in Peru. Their study identified the essential traits and strategies that enable these leaders to create profitable businesses with a social or environmental focus despite challenging contexts.…”