Sustai­nab­le En­tre­pre­n­eurs­hip & In­nova­tion Group (SE&I)

About

The Sustainable Entrepreneurship & Innovation Group (SE&I) examines how entrepreneurship, innovation, and new business models can drive sustainable transformation and contribute to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The group explores how market-based solutions can address sustainability challenges while creating economic and societal value.

Purpose

SE&I aims to advance understanding of how entrepreneurial action and innovation can accelerate sustainability transitions. By identifying opportunities arising from sustainability challenges and market failures, the group seeks to support the development of business models, ventures, and investment approaches that contribute to sustainable development and industry transformation.

Areas of expertise 

The group’s research focuses on the following core areas:

• Identification of sustainability opportunities: How market failures underlying the SDGs can be turned into business opportunities through new combinations of assets.
• Sustainable business models: How sustainability opportunities become profitable models that drive market transformation and attract other industry players.
• Sustainable and social venturing: The creation of start-ups and new organisational forms – such as benefit corporations or social enterprises—founded to address SDGs.
• Financing sustainable entrepreneurship: The development of impact investing to fund early-stage sustainable and social enterprises.
• Sustainable entrepreneurship intentions and education: The motivations of sustainable entrepreneurs and the role of education in encouraging student engagement.
• Industry sectors: Research covers areas such as circular economy, sustainable fashion, urban planning, work integration social enterprises, and fair trade.

Research 

Members of the group work to:

• Foster collaboration with leading scholars and research environments in sustainable entrepreneurship and innovation
• Promote new PhD and postdoctoral projects in the field
• Co-edit at least one special issue per year (e.g. the Journal of Business Ethics Special Issue on Impact Investing)
• Co-organise one Professional Development Workshop (PDW) each year at the Academy of Management or similar events (e.g. the PDW on impact investing)

Members also collaborate with public and private organisations on research and education activities relevant to theory and practice, following an engaged scholarship and action research approach.