Search Results (17)

This study investigates how entrepreneurial competencies contribute to social value creation and sustainable economic development among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Turkey, an emerging economy, emphasizing the facilitating roles of comprehensive social competence and technological opportunism. Grounded in Competence-Based Theory (CBT), entrepreneurial competencies are conceptualized as higher-order strategic capabilities that enable firms to mobilize resources, coordinate relational processes, and generate both economic and societal value in line with sustainable development principles. Drawing on a two-wave survey of 607 senior managers across ten industrial sectors in Turkey and employing confirmatory factor analysis and Hayes’ PROCESS macro, this research tests an integrated sustainability-oriented capability model. The findings reveal that entrepreneurial competencies significantly enhance sustainable social value creation, while comprehensive social competence serves as a key mechanism that partially mediates this relationship. Although technological opportunism does not directly influence the relationship between entrepreneurial competencies and social competence, it significantly amplifies both the direct and indirect effects on social value creation. SMEs with higher levels of technological alertness are therefore better positioned to translate entrepreneurial competencies into sustainable, socially beneficial outcomes. By integrating CBT with emerging perspectives on sustainable entrepreneurship, social innovation, and technology-enabled opportunity recognition, this study advances theoretical understanding of how SME capability configurations jointly foster sustainable economic and societal development. From a practical perspective, the findings highlight the importance of cultivating socially and technologically oriented entrepreneurial competencies to strengthen SMEs’ contributions to inclusive and sustainable growth in emerging economies. Full article

This study examines how sustainability orientation shapes sustainability behavior among entrepreneurial small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Turkey. Grounded in self-determination theory (SDT) and the theory of planned behavior (TPB), this study develops and empirically tests a conditional process model in which perceived social support functions as a mediating mechanism and sustainable entrepreneurship operates as a boundary condition. Data were collected from 519 senior managers of ISO 14001-certified SMEs using a two-wave survey design to mitigate common method variance (CMV). Using Hayes’ PROCESS macro, the results indicate that sustainability orientation is positively associated with sustainability behavior and that perceived social support partially mediates this relationship by facilitating the translation of sustainability values into action. Furthermore, sustainable entrepreneurship strengthens both the direct association between sustainability orientation and sustainability behavior and the indirect pathway operating through perceived social support. SMEs with higher sustainable entrepreneurship capabilities are better positioned to leverage internal values and external social reinforcement to enact proactive sustainability practices. Overall, the findings highlight the joint role of motivational orientations, social reinforcement, and entrepreneurial capability in shaping sustainability outcomes. The study contributes to sustainability and entrepreneurship research by clarifying how value-based orientations are converted into sustainable behavior and offers practical implications for policymakers and SME leaders seeking to accelerate sustainability transitions in emerging economies. Full article

This study examines the relationship between Wasta—a social network based on family, lineage, tribe, and extended family ties—as practiced by senior HRM employees, and its effects on entrepreneurial creativity, innovation, and sustainable development in the MENA region. The study also explores why entrepreneurs and countries in the MENA region are not ranked among the top 100 innovators in the Global Innovation Index. Additionally, it addresses why Wasta, as practiced by HRM employees, can impede sustainable development. The author drew on Amabile’s Componential Theory of Organizational Creativity and Model of Creativity and Innovation in Organizations. Evidence was gathered from articles on Wasta, secondary data from the Global Innovation Index (GII) for 2023, and the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM NECI) in 2024. Secondary datasets were analyzed using constant comparative analysis of documents. These datasets included accessible online indices, the Global Innovation Index in 2023, the World’s Most Innovative Companies Index by Forbes, and the Top 100 Global Innovators 2024 Rankings by Clarivate. The study develops a theoretical framework for the link between Wasta and sustainable development. It concludes that Wasta, when practiced by senior HRM employees, is likely a reason why MENA entrepreneurs fall short in achieving sustainable development and why the region’s countries are not among the top 100 innovative countries globally. The study answers why Wasta hinders sustainable development among MENA entrepreneurs. This study recommends that entrepreneurs recognize the importance of fair HRM practices in hiring, supervisor selection, candidate selection, and promotions to foster innovation and sustainable development. The conclusions may also encourage policymakers to create and enforce new rules to reduce Wasta if they aim to stimulate innovation, sustainable development, and economic advantage in the MENA region. Full article

This research examines the link between business models and entrepreneurial capabilities among social assistance program participants who are aging adults in an emerging economic environment. The research targets the insufficient use of entrepreneurial abilities in seniors to advance their active aging potential while enhancing their life quality. This study collected data from selected participants by using Osterwalder and Pigneur’s business model framework as a basis for their structured questionnaire, which followed a quantitative–qualitative method. Researchers applied Spearman’s Rho statistical methods to measure relations between business elements and skills in self-confidence, creativity, initiative, perseverance, and teamwork demonstrated by entrepreneurs. The study results clearly showed that properly executed business models create substantial growth in entrepreneurial abilities among people of advanced age. This study contributes novel empirical evidence from a rural Peruvian context, confirming that structured business model training is positively associated with entrepreneurial outcomes among elderly populations. The findings (r = 0.755, p < 0.001) support the urgency of integrating capability-building into social assistance schemes. These results emphasize how targeted training programs should empower this population since this initiative supports Sustainable Development Goals like “Decent Work and Economic Growth” (SDG 8) and “Reduced Inequalities” (SDG 10). The analysis demonstrates that teaching entrepreneurial abilities to mature individuals leads to better social entrepreneurship sustainability together with superior economic involvement and social connections. Full article

The SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis is a framework used to evaluate a company’s competitive position and to develop strategic planning. In the competitive dental sector, it can aid dentists in identifying and analyzing internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as external opportunities and threats. This study focuses on senior dental students of the Department of Dentistry at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece, aiming to scrutinize their use of SWOT analysis and assess its application as a tool for evaluating entrepreneurial goals and making career decisions in dental entrepreneurship. The research sample comprises 116 senior dental students (N1) in the final undergraduate year of their dental education, with data collection accomplished through the administration of an e-questionnaire during the obligatory course of “Organization and management of dental practices” in December 2023. The data extracted from the SWOT analysis encompass internal and external factors, gender distinctions, and outcomes derived from Stepwise Binary Logistic Regression concerning predictor markers. The results from the SWOT analysis of 114 valid questionnaires (N2), revealed that participants identified communication skills (50%) and organization skills (49.10%) as their primary strengths, followed by favorable personal traits contributing to goal success (36%). Weaknesses predominantly centered around emotional and personal traits like anxiety (41.20%) and other characteristics, alongside practical challenges such as lack of initial capital (24.60%). Main opportunities included collaboration with experienced dentists (33.30%) and access to training programs (27.20%), while economic instability in Greece (77.20%) and the saturated dentist profession (26.30%) were perceived as significant threats. Gender differences were notable, with female dentists more likely to report organization skills as a strength and anxiety as a weakness. Values such as industriousness, persistence, and ethics were commonly shared, with actions focusing on training programs (57.9%) and gaining experience with experienced dentists (29.8%). Cluster analysis identified two subgroups, with one emphasizing utilizing all available options (n = 49) and the other prioritizing on gaining professional skills and experience (n = 65). Logistic regression indicated that participants valuing industriousness were less likely to explore all available options, while those recognizing personal traits were more likely to do so. The study’s outcomes highlight key predictor factors linked to a proactive orientation in career decision-making among senior dental students. These insights offer valuable implications for educational institutions and career counselors. Full article

In recent decades, green entrepreneurship has been at the center of attention as an effective strategy to maintain sustainability and create a competitive advantage for organizations in a circular economy. However, the successful implementation of this strategy requires organizations to have internal enablers. This study endeavored to identify and evaluate organizational enablers for green entrepreneurship in manufacturing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Iran. Identifying organizational enablers can help SMEs in facilitating the conditions for adopting green entrepreneurship. To these ends, organizational enablers were extracted by reviewing the literature and then, using the viewpoints of 17 active experts in different industries in SMEs, they were classified. In the next step, the “Best Worst Method” was employed to prioritize the identified enablers (5 factors) and sub-enablers (20 factors). The contextual hierarchical relationships between these factors were identified through the “Interpretive Structural Modeling” method. Using the Matrix of Cross-Impact Multiplications Applied to Classification (MICMAC) analysis, the driving and dependence powers of organizational enablers were computed and the enablers were clustered. Based on the results, among the five enablers, three including total quality management, circular supply chain management, and corporate social responsibility were the most important from the point of view of the experts. Moreover, among the sub-enablers, strategic planning, green purchasing, and corporate social responsibility motivation were more important than other sub-enablers. The results of ISM analysis provided a seven-level hierarchical model and the relationships between them. The results of the MICMAC analysis led to the clustering of 20 organizational enablers in three main clusters: driving (nine factors), linkage (four factors), and dependent (seven factors). The results of this study provide practical suggestions for active senior managers to implement green entrepreneurship in SMEs. Full article

As older people have accumulated more developed networks, stronger financial positions and a greater ability to leverage resources and create more credible businesses, they are better placed to start new and more successful businesses than the younger generation. This paper presents the research that has been conducted for the ENTRUST project, which aims at designing an entrepreneurship training programme for people aged 50+ who are interested in creating new businesses to foster the sustainable development of rural areas and to provide services to tourists or other businesses that support tourism in rural areas. The results of the surveys for potential 50+ entrepreneurs (72 respondents) and experts in rural development and tourism organizations (100 respondents) show that there are perceived business opportunities in rural areas for experienced 50+ professionals. There is also a high demand for training targeted at rural tourism entrepreneurs. The interviews of experienced 50+ entrepreneurs (8) who work in cooperation with the rural community show that 50+ entrepreneurs find their work meaningful and that they want to continue working “as long as their health allows”. They greatly value the opportunity to develop the rural area and to be involved in preserving its historical and cultural heritage. Full article

The purpose of this study is to test the moderating effect of gender on the relationship between the Big Five personality traits of agriculture and food science senior students and their entrepreneurial intention. For this purpose, the study employed an online survey, which was directed to senior students in the agriculture and food science program at four public universities in Saudi Arabia. Out of the 450 forms distributed, 410 provided usable responses for analysis. This process yielded an answer ratio of 91%. The findings of PLS-SEM showed that the Big Five personality traits have a significant positive influence on students’ intent toward entrepreneurship, except for neuroticism, which was found to have a negative but insignificant influence. The results of moderating effect analysis showed no significant moderating influences of gender on the link between two traits, i.e., agreeableness and neuroticism and entrepreneurship intention. On the other side, gender was found to have a significant moderating role in the relationship between the four other traits, extraversion, conscientiousness, openness to experiences, and entrepreneurial intention. Male students have a more moderating influence in relation to extraversion and conscientiousness than females do on entrepreneurial intention, whereas female students have a more moderating influence regarding openness to experiences than males on entrepreneurship intention. The results confirm that to ensure a sustainable agriculture ecosystem, each gender should receive appropriate development programs to strengthen their personal traits to stimulate entrepreneurial intention. Full article

The Saudi Arabian government has promoted the tourism industry as a way to achieve the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 by diversifying the economy and reducing overdependence on the oil sector. To align with this, several universities in Saudi Arabia have started providing tourism education. Accordingly, several academic programs and university incubators were launched to prepare workers and entrepreneurs for the industry. This study examines the role of support given by university incubators—embedded in networking support, financial support, and training support—in enhancing entrepreneurship intention among tourism graduates. Furthermore, the study examines the mediating role of personal attitude in the aforementioned relationship. Data were collected from a sample of 750 senior students at tourism and hospitality management colleges in Saudi Arabian public universities. All of the research participants have had access to these incubators. Using structural equation modeling, the study shows that the personal attitude of graduates partially mediates the impact of networking support as a dimension of university incubator support and entrepreneurship intention. However, the personal attitude of graduates was found to fully mediate the relationships between financial and training support and entrepreneurship. Future research implications and limitations are elaborated. Full article

Technological advancements have created a plethora of opportunities for entrepreneurs to develop and extend their business operations. Hence, internet has promoted to the emergence of digital entrepreneurship as a growing form of entrepreneurship among many entrepreneurs, especially digital natives. This research examines to what extent personal traits of digital natives’ impact on their digital entrepreneurship intention. The research examined the direct impact of the big five personal traits, i.e., openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism, on digital entrepreneurship intention and the indirect impact through personal attitude. For this purpose, a pre-examined questionnaire was directed to senior students in computer sciences and information technology colleges at public universities in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The results of structural equation modeling using SmartPLS (version 4) confirmed a direct positive and significant impact of the big five personal traits on personal attitude. However, the results revealed that the impact of the big five personal traits (except agreeableness) on digital entrepreneurship intention were positive but insignificant. Additionally, a mediating effect was confirmed for personal attitude in the link between personal traits and digital entrepreneurship intention among senior students in KSA higher education. The results contributed to the research gap in relation to personal traits and its impact on personal attitude and ultimatly on digital entrepreneurship intention, especially among digital natives. Several impactions were merged and discussed for scholars, policy makers and educators in higher education institutions. Full article

This study examined the impact of university education support on entrepreneurial intention among higher education students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The study adopts the theory of planned behavior (TPB) as the theoretical foundation and examines the effect of constructs of TPB as mediating variables between university education support and entrepreneurial intention. The study adopted a quantitative research approach through a questionnaire survey directed to senior students at King Faisal University (KFU). The results of SEM “structural equation modeling” with AMOS software showed that university education support has a significant positive direct impact on entrepreneurial intention. It also has significant positive and indirect effects through the three constructs of TPB, which were found to have a significant impact on entrepreneurial intention among higher education students. This research result sends several important messages to higher education policymakers in relation to the promotion of entrepreneurship intention among higher education students. The results also have some theoretical implications for scholars, which are also discussed in the study. Full article

This research examines the role of gender in the link between entrepreneurship orientation and entrepreneurial intention. More exactly, the research examines the differences between male and female senior students in relation to the effect of risk-taking, innovativeness, and pro-activeness on their entrepreneurial intention. For this purpose, a quantitative research method was conducted through a self-administered questionnaire to a sample of students at King Faisal University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The results of structural equation modeling (SEM) by AMOS software showed a significant positive direct impact of risk-taking on entrepreneurial intention and a significant positive indirect impact through innovativeness and pro-activeness for the structural model of male and female. In the comparison between the two groups using multi-group analysis, the results showed that impacts of risk-taking and innovativeness on entrepreneurial intention were found to be positive and significant in the two groups and the differences in p-value were significant. This means that there are significant differences between males and females in relation to the impact of risk-taking and innovativeness on entrepreneurial intention. These differences were because males were found to be more risk-taking than females whereas females were found to be more innovative than males. On the other side, the results confirmed no significant differences between the two groups in relation to the effect of pro-activeness on entrepreneurial intention. The findings of the study have noble implications for scholars and policymakers, which we have discussed and elaborated on. Full article

This paper aims to propose an integrated theoretical model with which to identify the personal characteristics, behaviors, and competencies of individuals who have successfully seen a senior cohousing project through to the residential stability phase. Numerous early-stage senior cohousing projects are registered each year. However, only a few of them are actually built, and when they are, the construction process takes an average of 10 years. Would-be cohousing residents have to put their tenacity and other competencies to the test to overcome the obstacles in their path before their residential complex is completed. The model proposed here analyzes senior cohousing initiatives as entrepreneurial undertakings. To this end, it draws upon a comprehensive review of the literature on entrepreneurship to identify the personal characteristics, behaviors, and competencies typical of entrepreneurs. In this model, participants in senior cohousing projects make use of these entrepreneurial competencies to help them overcome the obstacles to completing their housing development. However, for the would-be cohousing residents, the objective is not simply to build the residential complex but to enjoy the satisfaction and well-being this housing typology offers. Here, too, we find their entrepreneurial competencies can play a role. Full article

Intergenerational entrepreneurial initiatives are aimed at addressing the needs and opportunities of certain social groups and have the potential of becoming successful business projects. Moreover, they are a key to undertake sustainability practices that may represent a competitive advantage for the companies and an example to imitate when creating businesses. The objective of the study is to propose an intergenerational training methodology so that young people and seniors can create companies together, generating social cohesion and sustainable development in response to generational challenges. Intergenerational entrepreneurship seems to be a novel research area, especially when referring to developing methodologies of collaborative entrepreneurship projects. For this purpose, our literature review focuses on, first, the matching theories and experiences applied for intergenerational cooperation; then, literature about training methodologies for entrepreneurship is reviewed; finally, the main theories on training skills for entrepreneurship are approached. Focus groups were conducted as they serve as the main sources of data and are very appropriate for the generation of new ideas within a social context. In general, results show that, for achieving a successful intergenerational cooperation, some specific training is needed for both generations. This paper is a starting point for future research approaching intergenerational entrepreneurship, or entrepreneurial initiatives with singular characteristics, such as rural contexts or people with disabilities. Full article

Social exclusion related to the unemployment of vulnerable population groups constitutes a crucial limitation to achieving a sustainable world. In particular, young and senior populations have specific characteristics that put them at risk of exclusion from the labor market. This circumstance has motivated an attempt to foster cooperation between these age groups to enable them to develop entrepreneurial initiatives that will contribute to close this social vulnerability gap. We approach this topic by focusing on intergenerational entrepreneurship, understood as entrepreneuring projects jointly undertaken by seniors and young adults. The objective of this study was to identify the differences and complementarities between senior and young entrepreneurs with a view to enabling them to develop viable intergenerational entrepreneurial projects, with special emphasis in the motivational push, pull, and blocking factors that affect them. This kind of entrepreneurial initiative fosters knowledge transfer and experience between age groups, promotes job creation and social inclusion, improves a sense of belonging, and, thus, contributes to the construction of a stronger society serving as an engine for sustainable development. Therefore, intergenerational entrepreneurship can be considered a form of social innovation. A mixed-methods approach was utilized in this study, using quantitative data from a questionnaire as a starting point for the characterization and identification of senior and young entrepreneurial profiles, and qualitative data from focus groups, which enabled us to identify complementarities among generations. The results show that there are significant differences between youths and seniors in terms of the motivations and factors that push, pull, or block the decision to form an intergenerational entrepreneurial partnership. These differences can be interpreted as complementarities that can boost intergenerational cooperation to promote social inclusion. Full article