Sustainable entrepreneurship in Sub-Saharan Africa: the collaborative multi-system model

Abstract

In this article, we explore the dimensions involved in creating a sustainability-focused entrepreneurial venture within a community. In these ventures the entrepreneur may be the central hub of venture activities, but the interdependence between the entrepreneur and partners in the community is critical. Our observations suggest that the path toward sustainability starts with external collaboration with entities in the entrepreneur's surrounding system. Our aim is to extend entrepreneurship research through an examination of sustainability, which calls for a recalibration in the role of profit and social/economic good. This research offers a comparative analysis of two case studies, and proposes a fluid and integrative multi-systems model of collaboration with various entities, including governments, the private sector, non-government organizations (NGOs), and the larger community.

Dans cet article, nous explorons les dimensions impliquées dans la création d'une entreprise entrepreneuriale axée sur le développement durable au sein d'une communauté. Dans ces entreprises, l'entrepreneur peut être le noyau central des activités de capital-risque, mais l'interdépendance entre l'entrepreneur et les partenaires dans la communauté est critique. Nos observations suggèrent que le chemin vers la durabilité commence avec la collaboration externe avec des entités dans le système environnant de l'entrepreneur. Notre objectif est de développer les recherches en entrepreneuriat à travers un examen de la durabilité, ce qui exige un recalibrage dans le rôle du profit et du bien social / économique. Ces recherches examinent une analyse comparative de deux études de cas et proposent un modèle de collaboration multi-systèmes fluide et intégratif avec diverses entités, y compris les gouvernements, le secteur privé, les organisations non gouvernementales (ONG) et l'ensemble de la communauté.

Keywords:

• Sub-Saharan Africa
• social entrepreneurship
• environmental entrepreneurship
• sustainable entrepreneurship
• multi-system model/ integrative model

Mots-clés:

• Afrique subsaharienne
• l'entrepreneuriat social
• Entrepreneuriat environnemental
• Esprit d'entreprise durable
• Modèle multi-système/modèle intégratif

Acknowledgements

We are also deeply grateful to Dr Merlyn Griffiths and Dr Sevil Sonmez for their review and helpful feedback in completing this manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. http://www.equitybankgroup.com/about/our-corporate-philosophies. Accessed on Feb/04/2017

Additional information

Funding

The authors graciously acknowledge the financial support of the Beatrice Research Grant, Washburn University [code number B2016NJ]; the BASPRO Research Grant from the Bryan School at the University of North Carolina Greensboro [code number BAS2016CJ].

Notes on contributors

Norma Achieng Juma

Norma Achieng Juma is an associate professor in the School of Business at Washburn University. Her research interest includes immigrant entrepreneurship, indigenous entrepreneurship and sustainability.

Channelle D. James

Channelle D. James is faculty in Bryan School of Business and Economics at University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Her research interests include sustainable entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship, and community support for entrepreneurship related to vulnerable communities.

Eileen Kwesiga

Eileen Kwesiga is an associate professor in the School of Business at Bryant University. Her research interests include cross-cultural issues, experiences and outcomes of non-dominant groups in organizations.