Tempered radicals! Ecopreneurs as change agents for sustainability - an exploratory study
by Sara Walton; Jodyanne Kirkwood
International Journal of Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation (IJSEI), Vol. 2, No. 5, 2013

Abstract: Ecopreneurs (as a subset of social entrepreneurs) are often posited as change agents - champions for sustainability. The purpose of this paper is to study the role of ecopreneurs or environmental entrepreneurs as green change agents. Specifically, this paper examines how they bring about change through running their businesses. A qualitative, interpretative approach was adopted and interviews conducted with 17 ecopreneurs in 14 companies in New Zealand. Two key aspects of practice emerged; commitment to the environment and the redefining of growth. We discuss each of these and suggest that ecopreneurs act as 'tempered radicals'. They have values congruent with radical change for sustainability but they enact a tempered path - they operate a viable business based on current business realities (BAU). Nonetheless they have potential to be key players moving towards low carbon and green economies.

Online publication date: Tue, 29-Apr-2014

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation (IJSEI):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

    Username:        Password:         

Forgotten your password?


Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com