Many countries and regions face unprecedented social and environmental crises and disruptive events whose impact can no longer be ignored. Sustainable entrepreneurs offer new solutions to these problems that involve replacing the current linear economies by circular systems.

Sustainable entrepreneurs generate new sustainable products, services, and production processes, with new sustainable business models that simultaneously balance ecological, social and economic goals, which result in sustainable welfare for current and for future generations. TheDeGruyter Handbook of Sustainable Entrepreneurship Research studies the causes and consequences of sustainable entrepreneurship, the new standard of doing business and designing public policy, as reflected in the growth of sustainable entrepreneurship start-up ventures and the increasing integration of sustainability in small- and medium-sized enterprises as well as in incumbent corporations. It explores five main themes, each presenting state-of-the-art thinking: foundations, leadership, innovation, business models, performance and impact. Each section consists of four chapters that, taken together, offer in-depth perspectives, take stock of current situations and propose new avenues for future research.

The handbook offers a coherent and systemic perspective for sustainable start-ups and for incumbent firms and governments aiming for transitions. It will also be of interest to scholars and postgraduate students interested in sustainable entrepreneurship.

Professor G. (Gjalt) de Jong is Professor of Sustainable Entrepreneurship, University of Groningen, Faculty Campus Fryslân in the Netherlands. Professor de Jong builds on more than 25 years of experience in academia, business and management. He holds a Master of Science in Economics and a PhD in Business Administration from the University of Groningen. He is the chair and head of the Department of Sustainable Entrepreneurship, founder-director of the Master of Science program, Sustainable Entrepreneurship, founder-director of the Centre for Sustainable Entrepreneurship, member of the extended board of Faculty Campus Fryslân and board member of the Facultys research institute. Prior to his current position he served as associate professor at the University of Groningen (Faculty of Economics and Business) and as senior management consultant for KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Professor de Jongs career divides into two periods. Between 1991 and 2015 he focused on economic growth and strategy. From 2015 onwards, Professor de Jong and his chair group focus on sustainable entrepreneurship and the circular economy (www.rug.nl/cf/cse). He has served as a visiting researcher at University of Antwerp, Case Western Reserve University and Copenhagen Business School.

Dr. Tom Long is an assistant professor of sustainable entrepreneurship at the University of Groningen Faculty Campus Fryslan in the Netherlands. Since his PhD, which explored corporate climate change strategies, his focus has shifted to examine entrepreneurship, innovation and business models. He is particularly interested in socio-ethical factors and how they influence the development and efficacy of technologies and supporting business models, a cross-cutting research theme connecting technological innovation with business strategy.

Dr. Emma Folmer is an assistant professor of sustainable entrepreneurship at the University of Groningen Faculty Campus Fryslan in the Netherlands. Her research has the aim of understanding under what conditions social entrepreneurship can thrive, how social entrepreneurs deal with organizational challenges and how they create social impact on a community level. Dr. Folmer teaches three main courses that are all embedded in the MSc Sustainable Entrepreneurship.

Dr. ir. Niels Faber is assistant professor Circular Entrepreneurship at the Campus Fryslân Faculty of the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. He started his research in the domain of sustainability and organizations in 2002. Currently, his research focuses on business models for sustainability and the circular economy. This translates to the following interrelated research themes: sustainable value creation, organizing for a sustainable and circular economy, and sustainable and circular impact. He teaches a variety of topics, including sustainable leadership, research methodology, and behavioural economics. Additionally, he is involved in the development of a massive open online course on Sustainable Organizing, due September 2021.

Dr. Berfu Ünal is an Assistant Professor of Social Psychology at the Campus Fryslân of the University of Groningen, the Netherlands. Her research focuses on the social and cognitive processes behind decision-making and human behaviour. Notably, she explores how individual, social, and contextual factors interact to influence behaviour, performance, and thinking. She applies this expertise in different domains including environmental sustainability, adoption of sustainable (mobility) innovations, and sustainable entrepreneurship.

Introduction

Part 1: Foundations of Sustainable Entrepreneurship
Field Evolution
Research Paradigms
Teaching Paradigms
Consultancy Paradigms

Part 2: Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Leadership
Values, Norms and Traits
Opportunity Recognition Process
Start-up Process
Incumbent Transitions

Part 3: Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Teams and Processes
Degrees of Innovation
Tools and Technology
Policy

Part 4: Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Business Models
Sustainable Value
Solutions for Sustainability
Multi Stakeholder Engagement
Long Term Perspectives

Part 5: Sustainable Entrepreneurship Performance and Impact
Triple Bottom Line Performance
Performance Management
Regional Sustainable Development
Ecosystems