Entrepreneurial Management and Sustainable Development: A Theoretical Perspective

Authors

  • Dr. Alok Kumar Bhargava Founder and Principal Researcher, TrayiVani Foundation, India; Developer, The Inner Engine Framework™ for Conscious Leadership Assessment; Author of TrayiVāṇī – Eternal Verses on Peace, Silence & Discernment and The Inner Engine of Leadership Trilogy; TrayiVani Foundation, Ghaziabad – 201016, Uttar Pradesh, India. Author
  • Dr Alok Kumar Sharma Faculty member, Institute of Cooperative Management Bhopal under National Council for Cooperative Training New Delhi (Ministry of Cooperation Government of India) Pincode- 462039 Author
  • Dr. Vijay Kumar Associate Professor, University Institute of Legal Studies, Chandigarh University, Punjab, India, Pincode: 140413 Author
  • Dr. Siddhartha Shankar Pradhan Head of Department – MBA, Rourkela Institute of Management Studies, Rourkela, Pincode: 769015 Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.66635/2pke1n59

Keywords:

Entrepreneurial Management, Sustainable Development, Innovation Capability, Institutional Factors, Strategic Orientation

Abstract

This study develops a comprehensive theoretical framework that explains the relationship between entrepreneurial management and sustainable development, with particular emphasis on the mediating role of innovation capability and the influence of strategic and institutional factors. Drawing on a conceptual research approach, the study integrates insights from entrepreneurship, strategic management, and sustainability literature to address the fragmented nature of existing research in this domain. Entrepreneurial management is conceptualized as a dynamic orientation characterized by proactiveness, innovation, and opportunity recognition, enabling firms to respond effectively to complex environmental and societal challenges. The proposed framework suggests that innovation capability serves as a critical mechanism through which entrepreneurial practices contribute to sustainable development outcomes across economic, environmental, and social dimensions. In addition, strategic orientation is identified as a supporting factor that aligns organizational activities with long-term sustainability goals, while institutional factors act as contextual influences that shape the strength and effectiveness of these relationships. The study advances a set of theoretically grounded propositions that provide a basis for future empirical validation. By offering an integrated perspective, this research contributes to the advancement of theoretical understanding in both entrepreneurship and sustainability fields. The findings also provide practical insights for entrepreneurs, policymakers, and business leaders seeking to promote sustainable business practices, particularly in the context of small and medium enterprises and emerging economies.

References

1.Adamides, E. D. (2024). Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Transition to Sustainability Trajectories: An Activity-Based Conceptual Analytic Framework. Sustainability, 16(7), 2782.

2.Adams, R., Jeanrenaud, S., Bessant, J., Denyer, D., & Overy, P. (2016). Sustainability‐oriented innovation: A systematic review. International Journal of Management Reviews, 18(2), 180-205.

3.Aksoy, L., Alkire, L., Choi, S., Kim, P. B., & Zhang, L. (2019). Social innovation in service: a conceptual framework and research agenda. Journal of Service Management, 30(3), 429-448.

4.Al-Mamary, Y. H., & Alshammari, A. F. (2025). A Conceptual Model and Its Implications: Identifying Key Factors Influencing Entrepreneurial Activity and Innovation Capabilities for Sustainable Development and Green Innovation. World Development Sustainability, 100259.

5.Ameer, F., Khan, M. R., Khan, I., Khan, N. R., & Keoy, K. H. (2024). Organizational resilience and green innovation for environmental performance: evidence from manufacturing organizations. Vision, 09722629241254955.

6.Anand, A., Argade, P., Barkemeyer, R., & Salignac, F. (2021). Trends and patterns in sustainable entrepreneurship research: A bibliometric review and research agenda. Journal of Business Venturing, 36(3), 106092.

7.Avelar, S., Borges-Tiago, T., Almeida, A., & Tiago, F. (2024). Confluence of sustainable entrepreneurship, innovation, and digitalization in SMEs. Journal of Business Research, 170, 114346.

8.Ayandibu, A. O. (2024). A literature review on sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship: encouraging positive change in a dynamic world. International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science, 13(9), 33-42.

9.Bapoo, M. A., Tehseen, S., Haider, S. A., Yusof, M., & Motaghi, H. (2022). Sustainability orientation and sustainable entrepreneurship intention: The mediating role of entrepreneurial opportunity recognition. Academy of Entrepreneurship Journal, 28(2), 1-23.

10.Belz, F. M., & Binder, J. K. (2017). Sustainable entrepreneurship: A convergent process model. Business strategy and the environment, 26(1), 1-17.

11.Boons, F., & Lüdeke-Freund, F. (2013). Business models for sustainable innovation: state-of-the-art and steps towards a research agenda. Journal of Cleaner production, 45, 9-19.

12.Caputo, A., Pizzi, S., & Santini, E. (2024). Sustainability and SMEs: Opening the black box. Journal of Management & Organization, 30(3), 413-420.

13.Egieya, Z. E., Ewuga, S. K., Omotosho, A., Adegbite, A. O., & Oriekhoe, O. I. (2023). A review of sustainable entrepreneurship practices and their impact on long-term business viability. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 20(3), 1283-1292.

14.Gast, J., Gundolf, K., & Cesinger, B. (2017). Doing business in a green way: A systematic review of the ecological sustainability entrepreneurship literature and future research directions. Journal of cleaner production, 147, 44-56.

15.Hall, J. K., Daneke, G. A., & Lenox, M. J. (2010). Sustainable development and entrepreneurship: Past contributions and future directions. Journal of business venturing, 25(5), 439-448.

16.Ishaq, M. I., Sarwar, H., Aftab, J., Franzoni, S., & Raza, A. (2024). Accomplishing sustainable performance through leaders' competencies, green entrepreneurial orientation, and innovation in an emerging economy: Moderating role of institutional support. Business Strategy and the Environment, 33(2), 1515-1532.

17.Johnson, M. P., & Schaltegger, S. (2020). Entrepreneurship for sustainable development: A review and multilevel causal mechanism framework. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 44(6), 1141-1173.

18.Lüdeke‐Freund, F. (2020). Sustainable entrepreneurship, innovation, and business models: Integrative framework and propositions for future research. Business Strategy and the Environment, 29(2), 665-681.

19.Martins, A., Branco, M. C., Melo, P. N., & Machado, C. (2022). Sustainability in small and medium-sized enterprises: A systematic literature review and future research agenda. Sustainability, 14(11), 6493.

20.Muñoz, P., & Cohen, B. (2018). Sustainable entrepreneurship research: Taking stock and looking ahead. Business strategy and the environment, 27(3), 300-322.

21.Muo, I., & Azeez, A. A. (2019). Green entrepreneurship: Literature review and agenda for future research. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Knowledge, 7(2).

22.Neumeyer, X., & Santos, S. C. (2018). Sustainable business models, venture typologies, and entrepreneurial ecosystems: A social network perspective. Journal of cleaner production, 172, 4565-4579.

23.Schaltegger, S., Beckmann, M., & Hockerts, K. (2018). Sustainable entrepreneurship: creating environmental solutions in light of planetary boundaries. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Venturing, 10(1), 1-16.

24.Schaltegger, S., Hansen, E. G., & Lüdeke-Freund, F. (2016). Business models for sustainability: Origins, present research, and future avenues. Organization & environment, 29(1), 3-10.

25.Shahrahmani, M., Aflatoonian, B., Mirzaei, H., Bahremand, B., & Aflatoonian, B. (2025). Sustainable entrepreneurship models dynamics and key drivers of societal and environmental impact. Discover Sustainability, 6(1), 1019.

26.Silvestre, B. S., & Ţîrcă, D. M. (2019). Innovations for sustainable development: Moving toward a sustainable future. Journal of cleaner production, 208, 325-332.

27.Troise, C., Santoro, G., Jones, P., & Bresciani, S. (2024). Small and medium enterprises and sustainable business models: Exploring enabling factors for adoption. Journal of Management & Organization, 30(3), 452-465.

28.Utami, A. R., Mukhtar, S., & Suparno, S. (2026). Entrepreneurial Sustainability through Digital Innovation and Knowledge Capabilities: A Systematic Literature Review. Advances in Economics, Business and Management Research, 278-295.

29.York, J. G., O'Neil, I., & Sarasvathy, S. D. (2016). Exploring environmental entrepreneurship: Identity coupling, venture goals, and stakeholder incentives. Journal of management studies, 53(5), 695-737.

Downloads

Published

2026-07-24

How to Cite

Entrepreneurial Management and Sustainable Development: A Theoretical Perspective. (2026). Journal of Asia Entrepreneurship and Sustainability, 22(4S), 340-348. https://doi.org/10.66635/2pke1n59