Shrouk Mahmoud Abdelnaeim, Noha M. El-Bassiouny and Pallab Paul
Understand the implementation phase of sustainable start-ups. Identifying the 4 Ps of sustainable start-ups. Understand the different types of challenges faced by Up-Fuse…
Abstract
Learning outcomes
Understand the implementation phase of sustainable start-ups. Identifying the 4 Ps of sustainable start-ups. Understand the different types of challenges faced by Up-Fuse regarding their target customers and their value proposition. Highlighting the important strategic decisions that sustainable start-ups have to consider in their business cycle. Analyzing the differences between the market conditions globally and in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Case overview/synopsis
Sustainable entrepreneurship is the type of entrepreneurship that is market-oriented and creative while at the same time putting the environment, society and economy into consideration. Sustainable entrepreneurs offer value through their goods and services that are beneficial or at least do not harm the environment or the society. The case provides background information and facts about doing business in the MENA region and Egypt specifically. Afterward, the case study emphasizes the challenges that are faced by sustainable entrepreneurs in Egypt through analyzing the case of a sustainable Egyptian start-up. The case study is on Up-Fuse, one of the sustainable start-ups in Egypt that produce backpacks, shoulder and waist bags, laptop sleeves, cases and pouches. This case study aims at describing the different challenges and strategic decisions that sustainable start-ups go through in Egypt.
Complexity academic level
This case targets undergraduate management students, marketing students, master of business administration students, entrepreneurship students and entrepreneurs. This case can be taught in courses with marketing, entrepreneurship and sustainability focus.
Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available for educators only.
Subject code
CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.
Details
Keywords
Shrouk Mahmoud Abdelnaeim and Noha El-Bassiouny
The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the cognitive drivers that push entrepreneurs toward sustainable venture creation using entrepreneurial cognitive scripts. In…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the cognitive drivers that push entrepreneurs toward sustainable venture creation using entrepreneurial cognitive scripts. In particular, this study tests the relationship between entrepreneurial cognitive scripts and sustainability orientation among entrepreneurs in an emerging economy to understand whether entrepreneurial cognitive scripts act as a driver toward sustainability.
Design/methodology/approach
A primary research study was conducted using a structured questionnaire among 351 sample respondents, of which 54% labeled themselves as entrepreneurs and 46% labeled themselves as traditional business people, business students or non-entrepreneurs. The entrepreneurs represented more than ten different industries such as agriculture, food and beverage, education, technology and entertainment.
Findings
The findings of this study highlighted a negative relationship between entrepreneurial cognitions and sustainability orientation as hypothesized. Additionally, non-entrepreneurs were found to be more sustainability-oriented, whereas entrepreneurs with high levels of cognitive scripts were found less concerned about sustainability issues.
Research limitations/implications
This study has a geographic limitation as it has been conducted in a developing country, which is Egypt. Accordingly, the results should be generalized with caution to other developing nations.
Practical implications
This study shows the importance of sustainable entrepreneurship education as an important part of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The study sheds the light on the different stakeholders that are responsible for raising awareness about the importance of sustainability in developing countries.
Originality/value
This study empirically validates the relationship between entrepreneurial cognitive scripts and sustainability orientation among several industries in a developing country. The study has also a novel contribution in validating that non-entrepreneurs can enjoy entrepreneurial cognitive scripts without the necessity of starting their ventures.