Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Finance: Exploring Entrepreneurial Decision-Making Process for Securing External Funds
(2024) ENTN19 20241Department of Business Administration
- Abstract
- The thesis explores the decision-making process of sustainable entrepreneurs for securing external funds by adopting the “triple bottom line” research perspective (Hall et al., 2010; Sarango-Lalangui, 2018). It delves into how sustainable entrepreneurs assess and exploit funding opportunities while balancing their economic and non-economic goals. The research addresses two primary questions: what does the decision-making process look like for sustainable entrepreneurs securing external funds and what factors influence their decision-making?
A comprehensive literature review highlights the unique challenges sustainable entrepreneurs face compared to traditional entrepreneurs, particularly in securing funding that aligns with their... (More) - The thesis explores the decision-making process of sustainable entrepreneurs for securing external funds by adopting the “triple bottom line” research perspective (Hall et al., 2010; Sarango-Lalangui, 2018). It delves into how sustainable entrepreneurs assess and exploit funding opportunities while balancing their economic and non-economic goals. The research addresses two primary questions: what does the decision-making process look like for sustainable entrepreneurs securing external funds and what factors influence their decision-making?
A comprehensive literature review highlights the unique challenges sustainable entrepreneurs face compared to traditional entrepreneurs, particularly in securing funding that aligns with their sustainability goals. The study adopts a qualitative, inductive approach, utilizing multiple case studies from Sweden and Denmark, known for their robust startup ecosystems and commitment to sustainability. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with founders or co-founders of sustainable ventures, focusing on their experiences and strategies for securing external funds.
The findings reveal a three-phase decision-making process: opportunity assessment, opportunity exploitation, and post-funding evaluation. Sixteen factors influencing this process are identified and categorized into three main dimensions: the sustainable entrepreneur, the sustainable venture, and the environment. These factors include motivations, values, knowledge, attitudes, business models, legal structures, team dynamics, funding options, and external uncertainties such as political and economic trends.
The study contributes to both theoretical and practical understanding by providing an integrative framework for sustainable entrepreneurs' decision-making processes and offering insights into what factors SE have to consider as they navigate the complexities of fundraising while adhering to their sustainability mission. Ultimately, this research aims to enhance the financial viability of sustainable ventures and support the broader goal of achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9167064
- author
- Pilpani, Elene LU and Szighardtová, Simona LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- ENTN19 20241
- year
- 2024
- type
- H1 - Master's Degree (One Year)
- subject
- keywords
- Sustainable Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurial Finance, Decision-Making Process, Sweden, Denmark, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- language
- English
- id
- 9167064
- date added to LUP
- 2024-06-24 12:37:49
- date last changed
- 2024-06-24 12:37:49
@misc{9167064, abstract = {{The thesis explores the decision-making process of sustainable entrepreneurs for securing external funds by adopting the “triple bottom line” research perspective (Hall et al., 2010; Sarango-Lalangui, 2018). It delves into how sustainable entrepreneurs assess and exploit funding opportunities while balancing their economic and non-economic goals. The research addresses two primary questions: what does the decision-making process look like for sustainable entrepreneurs securing external funds and what factors influence their decision-making? A comprehensive literature review highlights the unique challenges sustainable entrepreneurs face compared to traditional entrepreneurs, particularly in securing funding that aligns with their sustainability goals. The study adopts a qualitative, inductive approach, utilizing multiple case studies from Sweden and Denmark, known for their robust startup ecosystems and commitment to sustainability. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with founders or co-founders of sustainable ventures, focusing on their experiences and strategies for securing external funds. The findings reveal a three-phase decision-making process: opportunity assessment, opportunity exploitation, and post-funding evaluation. Sixteen factors influencing this process are identified and categorized into three main dimensions: the sustainable entrepreneur, the sustainable venture, and the environment. These factors include motivations, values, knowledge, attitudes, business models, legal structures, team dynamics, funding options, and external uncertainties such as political and economic trends. The study contributes to both theoretical and practical understanding by providing an integrative framework for sustainable entrepreneurs' decision-making processes and offering insights into what factors SE have to consider as they navigate the complexities of fundraising while adhering to their sustainability mission. Ultimately, this research aims to enhance the financial viability of sustainable ventures and support the broader goal of achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).}}, author = {{Pilpani, Elene and Szighardtová, Simona}}, language = {{eng}}, note = {{Student Paper}}, title = {{Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Finance: Exploring Entrepreneurial Decision-Making Process for Securing External Funds}}, year = {{2024}}, }