Toward a Validated Competence Framework for Sustainable Entrepreneurship

Abstract

Knowledge, skills, and attitudes to manage sustainable development have become significant components of different career paths. Previous research has explored which competencies are needed for future change agents in the field of sustainable development. Sustainable entrepreneurship can be seen as a promising work context in which these competencies are truly at the forefront and enacted. Several researchers have compiled frameworks of key competencies. However, their work is exploratory in nature and a more in-depth analysis of these frameworks is called for. In this study, an existing competence framework for sustainable entrepreneurship was tested in terms of construct validity, among 402 would-be entrepreneurs. The results suggest the inclusion of six competencies, which constitute a competence framework with a good model fit. Furthermore, a new combination of two existing competencies is proposed. This study has important implications for the debate on which competencies for sustainable entrepreneurship are essential on theoretical and empirical grounds.

Biofuels are (Not) the Future! Legitimation Strategies of Sustainable Ventures in Complex Institutional Environments

“…On the other hand, recent research has found that rather than be passive players, sustainable entrepreneurs are active agents in convincing important stakeholder groups [14,15]. This research has made recent gains by arguing sustainable ventures are more likely to survive when they: synchronize their activities with socioeconomic and biophysical context [16]; use resistant, reactive, anticipatory, and innovation-based behavior [17]; gain expertise in normative, interpersonal and strategic competencies [18]; or attempt to change institutions themselves [14,19,20]. Nevertheless, this literature has yet to uncover the unique legitimation strategies that sustainable entrepreneurs deploy in their quest to gain resources.…”

Can Education for Sustainable Development Change Entrepreneurship Education to Deliver a Sustainable Future?

“…Sustainable entrepreneurship is recognized as the overarching term for this subdivision of entrepreneurship by Ploum et al (2017), and in their literature review of sustainable entrepreneurship Greco and De Jong formulate a general definition from a range of sources including Hockerts and W¸stenhagen (2010); Pacheco et al (2010); and Shepherd and Patzelt (2011)ìSustainable entrepreneurship refers to the discovery, creation, and exploitation of entrepreneurial opportunities that contribute to sustainability by generating social and environmental gains for others in societyî (Greco & De Jong, 2017, p. 14).…”

“…Ploum et al (2017) highlight how sustainable entrepreneurs act as change agents as they integrate sustainable development criteria into their entrepreneurial activities and transfer a vision of sustainability to society. Pascual et al (2011) provide examples to support the notion that sustainable entrepreneurship can deliver on key aspects of sustainable development as well as the entrepreneurial goal of creating economic value.…”

“…Ploum et al (2017) define competencies as consisting of knowledge elements, skills and attitudes that enable the successful performance of tasks and problem-solving. Competencies related to sustainable development in either entrepreneurship or education are context specific, because what might be the correct decision for a sustainability outcome in one context might be unsustainable in another context.…”

“…Competencies related to sustainable development in either entrepreneurship or education are context specific, because what might be the correct decision for a sustainability outcome in one context might be unsustainable in another context. A framework of competencies for sustainable entrepreneurship is presented by Ploum et al (2017). This framework is drawn from the work of Lans et al (2014) and it is reproduced in Appendix A of this article as it is referred to later in drawing comparison with ESD.…”