Reframing Sustainable Entrepreneurship: Integrated Pathways, Drivers, and Transformational Mechanisms Across Emerging Research Landscapes
1. Patience Dzisenu, University of Ghana Business School, Postdoctoral Researcher, Ghana
2. Edmund Tsogbey, University of Ghana Business School, Professor, Ghana
Sustainable entrepreneurship has evolved into a multidimensional field connecting innovation, social responsibility, ecological stewardship, and long-term economic value creation. Drawing on insights from recent empirical, conceptual, and integrative research, this review synthesizes the major pathways shaping sustainable entrepreneurial orientation. Evidence from a range of analytical approaches—including cross-sectional studies, meta-synthesis methods, dynamic model development, and conceptual frameworks for innovation and transformation—highlights key drivers such as environmental consciousness, financial planning, supportive ecosystems, technological capabilities, and evolving societal expectations. The review further incorporates policy-focused perspectives emphasizing the importance of strategic roadmapping for sustainability transitions. Overall, sustainable entrepreneurship emerges not only as an economic pursuit but also as a transformative mechanism influencing societal well-being, urban transitions, and systems-level change. This review presents an integrated conceptual understanding of drivers, pathways, and barriers, while outlining future research opportunities and managerial implications.
Sustainable entrepreneurship innovation pathways entrepreneurial orientation transition drivers ecosystems sustainability impact
Sustainable entrepreneurship has matured into a robust, interdisciplinary field that integrates innovation, ecological responsibility, and societal well-being. This review synthesizes insights across diverse methodologies—empirical studies, meta-ethnographic analyses, conceptual models, and policy evaluations—to provide a holistic understanding of pathways and drivers. The collective evidence demonstrates that sustainable entrepreneurship is shaped by internal motivations, external institutional pressures, technological advancements, and evolving ecosystems. It serves as a key mechanism for enabling urban transformations, advancing climate solutions, and addressing socio-economic challenges.
Research shows that sustainable entrepreneurial orientation is grounded in environmental consciousness and long-term strategic thinking, while pathways to sustainability depend on iterative processes of learning, adaptation, and ecosystem collaboration. Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence further enhance decision-making and resource optimization, particularly in developing economies. Entrepreneurial ecosystems, supported by coherent policy frameworks, play a central role in strengthening sustainability transitions.
Moving forward, sustainable entrepreneurship must continue to bridge gaps between innovation, policy, and social needs. Future research should explore cross-country comparative models, deeper integration of AI and digital technologies, and the role of communities and consumers in shaping sustainability outcomes. Ultimately, sustainable entrepreneurship offers a transformative approach capable of reshaping economic systems toward more resilient, inclusive, and environmentally sound futures.
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The author confirms that they were solely responsible for the study's planning, data acquisition, results interpretation, and manuscript writing.
The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, or publication of this article from any funding agencies.
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The authors state that they have no conflicts of interest regarding this article.
My thanks go to those who assisted with this study and manuscript preparation, and to the peer reviewers for their constructive feedback.
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