DETERMINING THE SUSTAINABLE START-UP COMPANY

Abstract

Entrepreneurs that involve sustainability in the development of their start-ups will have a positive contribution to a more sustainable development of the society. Thus, Sustainable Entrepreneurship (SE) is a new approach to entrepreneurship which allows start-ups to find unique solutions and have a positive social and environmental impact. This master thesis focuses on understanding SE and its integration in start-ups. An extensive theoretical review of the concept, elements, capabilities, and integration process of SE in start-ups is conducted. Further, an empirical understanding is achieved by analysing four case studies, each of them representing a start-up company. The research method used combines abduction logic, a transdisciplinary approach, and a grounded theory, and the main data collection method is the conduction of interviews. The results of the analysis are reflected in a framework. This framework provides a complete representation of objective setting, constrains and capabilities that are involved in SE, and that characterize its integration in the organizational system of a start-up company. This research enriches the area of SE integration by providing an empirical and more complete perspective, that gives a more detailed understanding on the characteristics that start-up companies need to consider in order to integrate SE in their organizational systems.