Green Entrepreneurship: A Method for Managing Natural Resources?

Abstract

Globalization has often pushed aside the notion that business owners can use their businesses to create household income, influence community behaviors and values, and impact natural resource management. Here, we identify patterns of social awareness described by green entrepreneurs and how they may be drawn into the natural resource management process. We draw upon case studies of small “green” and “green-green” businesses to learn how they incorporate their businesses into environmental and social justice causes. A few themes emerged from in-depth interviews with a sample of green entrepreneurs, including: low levels of interest in economic success; high degrees of awareness about the business's environmental impact; and high levels of concern for social justice. In addition, several constructs emerged, which included personal motivation and mission, locality, and a forward-thinking orientation about sustainability. The findings reveal innovative models for incorporating green business into environmental causes and natural resource management.

Keywords:

• constructs
• ecopreneurship
• environmental entrepreneurship
• green business
• natural resources

Notes

The natural resources connection:

—Each construct reflects a concern for natural resources and how they are used.

—The focus on locality, especially buying locally, expresses an awareness of resources used in transport of goods.

—Personal motivations and missions of the ecopreneurs were guided largely by desire to conserve natural resources.

—A view toward the future and sustainability stems from a realization of the finite nature of the earth's resources.

The names of the businesses have been modified as well as the names and genders of the owners to protect their identity. Slight modifications in the descriptions of the business have also been included for the same reasons.

This technique avoids overspray and keeps solvents from evaporating into the atmosphere. Fluorinated solvents reduce carbon dioxide emissions.