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Keywords = moral entrepreneurs

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22 pages, 268 KiB  
Article
Dark Triad in the Margins: Narcissism and Moral Erosion Among Marginal Migrant Entrepreneurs
by Abdelaziz Abdalla Alowais and Abubakr Suliman
Adm. Sci. 2025, 15(7), 257; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15070257 - 3 Jul 2025
Viewed by 550
Abstract
In informal economic contexts, migrant entrepreneurs have been extolled as highly resilient and adaptable. This study critically investigates the adverse psychological foundations inherent in such enterprises, focusing on how dark triad personality traits emerge in the leadership orientations of marginal migrant entrepreneurs. Following [...] Read more.
In informal economic contexts, migrant entrepreneurs have been extolled as highly resilient and adaptable. This study critically investigates the adverse psychological foundations inherent in such enterprises, focusing on how dark triad personality traits emerge in the leadership orientations of marginal migrant entrepreneurs. Following a qualitative ethnographic approach, this research engaged 10–15 migrant employees through participant observation, field notes, and semi-structured interviews in an informal economic context. Thematic analysis revealed five dominant patterns: narcissistic leadership with entitlement and emotional disrespect; Machiavellian behavior of manipulation and deception; psychopathic detachment in emotional callousness; absence of light triad actions such as empathy, humility, and selflessness; and moral disengagement through rationalizations such as “everyone does it” or system blame. Migrant business owners prefer to rationalize their exploitative acts as being necessary for economic survival, thus legitimizing immoral conduct and suppressing moral self-regulation. The findings indicate that marginality not only drives entrepreneurial innovation, but also has the potential to create exploitative inclinations that are institutionally and morally unchecked. Solving this issue requires not only mere psychological awareness, but also systematic reforms that foster ethical robustness and emotional sensitivity. This study ultimately asserts the need to reframe migrant entrepreneurship discourse, including both ethical and psychological accountability. Full article
14 pages, 867 KiB  
Article
(In)Visible Nuances: Analytical Methods for a Relational Impact Assessment of Anti-Poverty Projects
by M. Licia Paglione
Societies 2025, 15(4), 105; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc15040105 - 18 Apr 2025
Viewed by 360
Abstract
In recent social science debates, poverty is seen as a multidimensional phenomenon, not only economic, but also psychological, educational, moral, and relational. The empirical observation and analysis of this latter dimension and its qualities represent a sociological challenge, especially in assessing the integral [...] Read more.
In recent social science debates, poverty is seen as a multidimensional phenomenon, not only economic, but also psychological, educational, moral, and relational. The empirical observation and analysis of this latter dimension and its qualities represent a sociological challenge, especially in assessing the integral effectiveness of social projects. As part of this debate, this article proposes an analytical method—based on Social Network Analysis, according to the egocentric or personal approach—and describes its use during an empirical “relational impact assessment” of a specific anti-poverty project in the Northwest region of Argentina. Analysis of the data—collected longitudinally through questionnaires—highlights the changes in the personal “relational configurations” of small entrepreneurs in the tourist area, i.e., the beneficiaries of the project, while also highlighting the emergence of “relational goods”. In this way, this article offers an analytical method to evaluate the “relational impact” of anti-poverty projects in quali–quantitative terms. Full article
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18 pages, 452 KiB  
Article
SMEs’ Perspective on How Ethical Leadership Supports Community Engagement in Buyer–Supplier Power Asymmetric Relationships
by Anastacia Mamabolo, Kerrin Myres and Gideon Pogrund
Adm. Sci. 2025, 15(3), 72; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15030072 - 22 Feb 2025
Viewed by 883
Abstract
The increasing moral challenges facing organizations flag the significance of ethical leadership. Despite the significance of promoting moral behavior, the existing literature has scarcely looked at ethical leadership in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and studied its outcomes beyond the organization. Therefore, this [...] Read more.
The increasing moral challenges facing organizations flag the significance of ethical leadership. Despite the significance of promoting moral behavior, the existing literature has scarcely looked at ethical leadership in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and studied its outcomes beyond the organization. Therefore, this study investigated the relationship between ethical leadership and community engagement moderated by the treatment of SMEs as suppliers and customers. The study argues that ethical leadership is important in helping SMEs execute community engagement activities, but that this depends on external factors. When entrepreneurs are treated unfairly by the powerful larger corporates, they will not be able to execute their activities. We conducted a quantitative study to answer the research objective and test the hypotheses. The final sample consisted of 276 participants, and the data were analyzed by using multiple hierarchical regression. The study found that ethical leadership predicted community engagement. However, the moderating role of the treatment of SMEs as suppliers and buyers on the role of ethical leadership and community engagement was not significant. The study provides insights on ethical leadership in the context of community engagement and buyer–supplier relationships. Also, the study shows that SMEs continue practicing ethical leadership and community engagement, regardless of how they are treated as suppliers and buyers by large companies, alluding to the importance of ethical leadership. Lastly, the study provides insights into the interactions between leadership and community engagement in the context of buyer–supplier power asymmetry. Full article
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19 pages, 931 KiB  
Article
Environmental Awareness and Moral Commitment in Water Usage in Gastronomy SMEs
by Ángel Acevedo-Duque, Jessica Müller-Pérez, Rina Alvarez-Becerra, Elena Cachicatari-Vargas, Mirtha Mercedes Fernández-Mantilla, Irene Merino Flores and Irma Yomara Verges
Sustainability 2025, 17(4), 1379; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17041379 - 8 Feb 2025
Viewed by 985
Abstract
In recent years, awareness of the sustainable use of water has grown across various industries, including the gastronomic sector. This study aimed to examine the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on environmental awareness, moral commitment, corporate image, and the intention of employees [...] Read more.
In recent years, awareness of the sustainable use of water has grown across various industries, including the gastronomic sector. This study aimed to examine the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on environmental awareness, moral commitment, corporate image, and the intention of employees from gastronomic SMEs to responsibly manage water usage. To achieve this objective, 354 surveys were conducted with employees from restaurants in Santiago, Chile, and a PLS-SEM model was utilized for data analysis. The results revealed that CSR had a significant impact on ecological awareness and the intention to conserve water. These findings highlight the critical role entrepreneurs and their employees play in water conservation, as they are directly involved in the management of this vital resource. Full article
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18 pages, 361 KiB  
Article
More Quality, Less Trust?
by Michael Dreyfuss, Yahel Giat and Eran Manes
Int. J. Financial Stud. 2024, 12(4), 123; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijfs12040123 - 9 Dec 2024
Viewed by 938
Abstract
This study investigates how an increase in the quality of business ventures, measured as their success probability, affects trust and return on investment (ROI) in situations where the investor–entrepreneur interaction is affected by moral hazard and asymmetric information. We model a repeated trust [...] Read more.
This study investigates how an increase in the quality of business ventures, measured as their success probability, affects trust and return on investment (ROI) in situations where the investor–entrepreneur interaction is affected by moral hazard and asymmetric information. We model a repeated trust problem between investors and entrepreneurs, featuring moral hazard and adverse selection. Hidden Markov techniques and computer simulations are used to derive the main results. We find that trust and ROI may decline as quality improves. Although lenders tend to reduce the requirements for granting initial credit, they nevertheless become less tolerant of current borrowers who fail to pay back. Additionally, we demonstrate a novel substitution effect, where lenders prefer new borrowers over existing borrowers that experienced early failures. The main conclusions of our study are that while impressing early on is effective in gaining first access to credit, it may nevertheless hurt the cause of getting credit in subsequent periods, following an early failure. In business environments plagued with ex post moral hazard, entrepreneurs might do better by gaining trust first and impressing later. Furthermore, our results imply that in a thriving economy, not only are bad loans made, but good loans are lost as well. Full article
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21 pages, 1202 KiB  
Article
Academic Entrepreneurial Support, Social Capital, and Green Entrepreneurial Intention: Does Psychological Capital Matter for Young Saudi Graduates?
by Adel Ghodbane and Abdullah Alwehabie
Sustainability 2023, 15(15), 11827; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151511827 - 1 Aug 2023
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3341
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to show the crucial role that universities play in preparing future green entrepreneurs, as well as the importance of social capital in ensuring the necessary resources and emotional support to develop a green entrepreneurial intention among young [...] Read more.
The aim of this paper is to show the crucial role that universities play in preparing future green entrepreneurs, as well as the importance of social capital in ensuring the necessary resources and emotional support to develop a green entrepreneurial intention among young graduates. This paper also seeks to show as well the importance of psychological capital as a variable between the academic support offered by universities and the development of a green entrepreneurial intention, and between the social capital of entrepreneurs and the development of a green entrepreneurial intention. The results of this research show strong support for green entrepreneurship through university programs and courses, which clearly have a positive impact on the intention to create green projects. Similarly, the social capital of recent graduates provides not only the necessary resources, but also moral, emotional, and material support. Moreover, green entrepreneurial intentions depend on the positive psychological capital that can be developed in an individual, which is precisely the feeling of personal efficacy and optimism about success. Thus, psychological capital moderates both the relationship between academic support for entrepreneurship and the intention to create green projects, and also the relationship between the latter variable and entrepreneurial social capital. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)
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14 pages, 835 KiB  
Article
Approach to Applying Sufficiency Economy Philosophy in Community Enterprise Management towards Sustainability
by Jakret Mettathamrong, Phetphrairin Upping and Somchad Deeudom
Sustainability 2023, 15(6), 5338; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15065338 - 17 Mar 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4261
Abstract
Sustainability is essential for every business and organization, but how can it be achieved? This work is a study of sustainability based on the sufficiency economy philosophy, a valuable concept introduced by the Thai people. We apply it to the notion of sustainability [...] Read more.
Sustainability is essential for every business and organization, but how can it be achieved? This work is a study of sustainability based on the sufficiency economy philosophy, a valuable concept introduced by the Thai people. We apply it to the notion of sustainability in 400 agricultural community enterprise owners in Thailand, who participated in this study. An oblique rotation component analysis was performed, finding that the variables on the same side are related, and a confirmative component analysis with structural equation models was conducted. The results showed that the approach to applying the sufficiency economy philosophy among community enterprises consists of 11 components, as follows: (1) financial control, (2) planning, (3) member management, (4) morals, (5) prevention plan, (6) moderation, (7) knowledge and expertise, (8) market development, (9) care, (10) quality control and (11) value of investment. The confirmative component analysis with structural equation modeling was consistent with the empirical data. Agricultural community enterprises and entrepreneurs focus on the moral component, conduct business with honesty to avoid causing problems for others, value justice without taking advantage with diligence and adhere to moral principles in life, because all of the above will lead to sustainability in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Management)
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24 pages, 1186 KiB  
Article
Sustained Social Entrepreneurship: The Moderating Roles of Prior Experience and Networking Ability
by Happiness Ozioma Obi-Anike, Chikodili Nkiruka Okafor, Cross Ogohi Daniel, Ifeoma Joanes Onodugo, Wilfred I. Ukpere and Ben Etim Udoh
Sustainability 2022, 14(21), 13702; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142113702 - 22 Oct 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2456
Abstract
The intention to set up social ventures remains an unpopular choice for intending entrepreneurs due to its obvious limitations of resource constraints. Yet it remains a vital means of making social goods available to disadvantaged people, especially in developing countries. Our study aims [...] Read more.
The intention to set up social ventures remains an unpopular choice for intending entrepreneurs due to its obvious limitations of resource constraints. Yet it remains a vital means of making social goods available to disadvantaged people, especially in developing countries. Our study aims to investigate how prior experience and networking ability interacts with empathy, moral obligation, self-efficacy, and social support to induce social entrepreneurial intentions in budding entrepreneurs in Nigeria. Using simultaneous linear regression, we analyzed data from a collection of 315 respondents enrolled in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)—a one-year mandatory national service scheme for graduates of higher institutions who are on the verge of making critical career choices. Our findings show that the main effects were statistically significant, while networking ability, more than prior experience, moderated the main effects. Conclusively, budding entrepreneurs need to hone their networking skills in order to exploit their social networks and complement the benefits of prior experiences as they contemplate social entrepreneurship. Future investigations can focus on determining how other environmental factors such as government/institutional support, technological adoption, and infrastructure would affect social entrepreneurial intentions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Small Business and Entrepreneurship: Contextualizing Research)
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18 pages, 365 KiB  
Article
Choice between IEO and ICO: Speed vs. Liquidity vs. Risk
by Anton Miglo
FinTech 2022, 1(3), 276-293; https://doi.org/10.3390/fintech1030021 - 9 Sep 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3895
Abstract
This paper analyzes a financing problem for an innovative firm that is considering launching a web-based platform. The model developed in the paper is the first one that analyzes an entrepreneur’s choice between initial exchange offering (IEO) and initial coin offering (ICO). Compared [...] Read more.
This paper analyzes a financing problem for an innovative firm that is considering launching a web-based platform. The model developed in the paper is the first one that analyzes an entrepreneur’s choice between initial exchange offering (IEO) and initial coin offering (ICO). Compared to ICO, under IEO the firm is subject to screening by an exchange that reduces the risk of investment in tokens; also the firm receives access to a larger set of potential investors; finally tokens become listed on an exchange faster. The paper argues that IEO is a better option for the firm if: (1) the investment size is relatively large; (2) the extent of moral hazard problems faced by the firm is relatively large; (3) the degree of investors’ impatience is relatively small. Furthermore, a non-linear relationship between firm quality and its financing choice is found. Most of these predictions are new and have not been tested so far. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Development in Fintech)
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18 pages, 321 KiB  
Article
Women, Entrepreneurship, and Sustainability: The Case of Saudi Arabia
by Nadia A. Abdelmegeed Abdelwahed, Bettina Lynda Bastian and Bronwyn P. Wood
Sustainability 2022, 14(18), 11314; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811314 - 9 Sep 2022
Cited by 30 | Viewed by 5402
Abstract
We ran two focus groups with well-educated Saudi women; there were ten participants with established businesses and ten nascent entrepreneurs. Despite the Saudi Vision 2030’s centring of environmental sustainability as a key tenet of the country’s development, the women entrepreneurs we studied (both [...] Read more.
We ran two focus groups with well-educated Saudi women; there were ten participants with established businesses and ten nascent entrepreneurs. Despite the Saudi Vision 2030’s centring of environmental sustainability as a key tenet of the country’s development, the women entrepreneurs we studied (both established and nascent) were not well informed on the topic. Further, the well-educated women in our sample were under pressure from neither their customers nor their own religious, financial, or moral imperatives to engage in sustainable practices or seek out and implement sustainable business in any form. Our respondents believed that government should incentivise businesses to undertake sustainable practices and saw no financial benefits to initiating these practices themselves. Contrary to previous literature, we found that the women entrepreneurs in our sample did not perceive sustainability as an entrepreneurial opportunity and, in many cases, did not believe that sustainability should be an intrinsic element of any for-profit business. Our research findings imply that the prevalent top-down policy approach used by the government to promote sustainable entrepreneurial practices needs to be complimented by a more inclusive multi-actor approach that would involve local and national stakeholders. Moreover, educational policies need to promote the integration of sustainability topics within the larger educational system to promote awareness and social change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women Entrepreneurship and the UN SDGs)
12 pages, 280 KiB  
Article
Understanding the Function of a Social Business Ecosystem
by Susumu Cato and Hiroki Nakamura
Sustainability 2022, 14(15), 9325; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159325 - 29 Jul 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2646
Abstract
Social entrepreneurs face challenging situations in trying to expand and grow businesses with little investment and limited resources. Interactions and networks between social entrepreneurs, investors, and other stakeholders are indispensable in promoting social entrepreneurship. Together, they come to form a cyclical “social business [...] Read more.
Social entrepreneurs face challenging situations in trying to expand and grow businesses with little investment and limited resources. Interactions and networks between social entrepreneurs, investors, and other stakeholders are indispensable in promoting social entrepreneurship. Together, they come to form a cyclical “social business ecosystem” (SBE), in which social entrepreneurs can finance their projects by paying “share transfer fees.” By using a theoretical/mathematical model in our method, this study examines the fundamental role of share transfer fees in an SBE. In particular, it establishes a moral hazard model that can explain important characteristics of an SBE. As main results, the study identifies conditions under which an SBE can mitigate the moral hazard of social entrepreneurs. The results suggest that SBEs work efficiently for relatively small social projects. This is consistent with actual cases of social business. Within this framework, this study also explores the practical implications of knowledge spillover; social entrepreneurs conduct SBEs more efficiently if they take advantage of knowledge spillover. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Business and Impact for Sustainable Growth)
22 pages, 763 KiB  
Article
The Interplay of Attitudes, Norms and Control in Sustainable Entrepreneurship: An Experimental Analysis
by David Hirschfeld and Marcus Wagner
Sustainability 2022, 14(15), 9317; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159317 - 29 Jul 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2583
Abstract
Entrepreneurs are potentially powerful solvers of challenges faced by sustainable development, especially when they combine narrower technological expertise with wider social motivations. Yet, to what degree trade-offs exist between different motivations is still largely unresolved. In this paper, we examine the choices made [...] Read more.
Entrepreneurs are potentially powerful solvers of challenges faced by sustainable development, especially when they combine narrower technological expertise with wider social motivations. Yet, to what degree trade-offs exist between different motivations is still largely unresolved. In this paper, we examine the choices made by potential entrepreneurs when aligning their prospective ventures with their personal attitudes and social norms. Extending the theory of planned behavior and—as a novel experimental technique in our context—drawing on a choice-based conjoint analysis with 4155 data points, we identify predictors for sustainable entrepreneurship intentions based on structural equation modelling. We find that entrepreneurial and sustainability-related attitudes as well as entrepreneurial norms are critical when it comes to the decision as to whether or not to pursue a sustainable venture, and that the link between attitudes and intentions is amplified by a positive moderation effect of entrepreneurial and sustainability-related attitudes, which supports identity coupling but refutes moral disengagement. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)
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22 pages, 11038 KiB  
Article
Does Entrepreneur Moral Reflectiveness Matter? Pursing Low-Carbon Emission Behavior among SMEs through the Relationship between Environmental Factors, Entrepreneur Personal Concept, and Outcome Expectations
by Li Cai, Agyemang Kwasi Sampene, Adnan Khan, Fredrick Oteng-Agyeman, Wenjuan Tu and Brenya Robert
Sustainability 2022, 14(2), 808; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14020808 - 12 Jan 2022
Cited by 30 | Viewed by 3859
Abstract
The intensity and severe impact of carbon emissions on the environment has been witnessed globally. This study aims to unravel how environmental factors, personal factors, and entrepreneur outcome expectations affect entrepreneur low-carbon emission behavior (LCB) through the lens of social cognitive theory (SCT). [...] Read more.
The intensity and severe impact of carbon emissions on the environment has been witnessed globally. This study aims to unravel how environmental factors, personal factors, and entrepreneur outcome expectations affect entrepreneur low-carbon emission behavior (LCB) through the lens of social cognitive theory (SCT). To achieve the aims of this study, we gathered data from 1015 entrepreneurs and small, medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Jiangsu province of China to analyze the predictors of entrepreneur low-carbon behavior. The proposed relationships were tested using the partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) technique. The findings from the study indicate that environmental factors (i.e., climate change (CC), public media (PM), and corporate social responsibility (CSR) have a significant and positive relationship with entrepreneur LCB. Moreover, entrepreneur green production self-efficacy (GPS) is positively associated with entrepreneur LCB. The findings further revealed that entrepreneur personal concepts such as entrepreneur self-monitoring (SM), entrepreneur self-esteem (SE), and entrepreneur self-Preference (SP) significantly and completely affect entrepreneur GPS. Likewise, entrepreneur moral reflectiveness (EMR) substantially moderates the relationship between entrepreneur green production outcome expectation and LCB. This study concludes with recommendations for researchers interested in enhancing knowledge in this field. In summation, this study shows that a behavioral science viewpoint is critical for improving knowledge of low-carbon environment, CC drivers, mitigation strategies, and sustainable transition to our complex environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Materials)
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19 pages, 813 KiB  
Article
Social Entrepreneurs as Role Models for Innovative Professional Career Developments
by Ignacio Alvarez de Mon, Jorge Merladet and Margarita Núñez-Canal
Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13044; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313044 - 25 Nov 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3410
Abstract
Through qualitative analysis, this paper examines the role of social entrepreneurs as an example of innovative and alternative professional career development. We review the dominant literature about social entrepreneurs’ distinct intentions, attitudes, abilities, and behaviors. We also directly connect social entrepreneurs’ biographies and [...] Read more.
Through qualitative analysis, this paper examines the role of social entrepreneurs as an example of innovative and alternative professional career development. We review the dominant literature about social entrepreneurs’ distinct intentions, attitudes, abilities, and behaviors. We also directly connect social entrepreneurs’ biographies and discourses with the actual nature of their social enterprises. We have found some fundamental common factors as critical determinants of the final social entrepreneurial decision and result: (i) motivations such as emotional connection, moral judgment, personal dissatisfaction, purpose achievement and change, and social needs; (ii) personal internal resources such as connection skills, conviction, creativity, efficiency skills, and learning orientation; (iii) facilitating external factors such as financial and social support, higher and social education, relevant past events, and previous professional experience. Putting together all these factors, we develop a theoretical framework that can explain social entrepreneurship as an alternative career option and connect it with a dominant social entrepreneur’s narrative and profile. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Marketing and Social Entrepreneurship Education)
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13 pages, 255 KiB  
Article
Evaluating the Moral Framing of Disaffiliation: Sociological and Pastoral Perspectives on the Rise of the “Nones”
by Brett C. Hoover
Religions 2021, 12(6), 386; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12060386 - 27 May 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4325
Abstract
The wave of religious disaffiliation that began in the 1990s in the United States has gone from a concern of pastoral leaders to perhaps the concern of pastoral leaders. This article examines a moral framing of religious disaffiliation—where disaffiliation is seen as a [...] Read more.
The wave of religious disaffiliation that began in the 1990s in the United States has gone from a concern of pastoral leaders to perhaps the concern of pastoral leaders. This article examines a moral framing of religious disaffiliation—where disaffiliation is seen as a symptom of larger moral struggles in society. After a review of contemporary sociological research on the phenomenon of disaffiliation, its roots and causes, the article explores the thinking of the influential Catholic bishop and media entrepreneur Robert Barron as an example of the moral framing of religious disaffiliation. Barron operates as a “moral entrepreneur” in today’s media-rich context, working to persuade Catholics to eschew certain strains of secular and liberal Catholic thinking in order to embrace traditional Catholicism as part of a moral struggle for the soul of U.S. society. Sociological theory on moral entrepreneurship and moral regulation helps make sense of his position. In the end, however, the causes and processes revealed in sociological research on disaffiliation reveal the moral framing as an inadequate construct for making sense of the actual phenomenon. I conclude by recommending a “historical-pastoral” framing of disaffiliation instead. Full article
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