From Environmentalist to Ecopreneur? Target Groups and Role Models as Key Elements in Sustainable Entrepreneurship Education

Abstract

This research analyses the effects of different types of educational interventions for sustainable entrepreneurship. We conducted 14 interventions for sustainable entrepreneurship and employed a pretest-posttest study of 148 participants. Mediated regression analysis shows that educational interventions for sustainable entrepreneurship increase sustainable entrepreneurship competences, which in turn positively relate to entrepreneurial intention. Specifically, the results show that environmentalists are a particularly receptive target group for sustainable entrepreneurship interventions, as the increase in competences (and hence intentions) is significantly stronger compared to other target groups. Likewise, we find indications that including role models in sustainable entrepreneurship interventions fosters the increase in competences. Based on these findings, we highlight the benefits of tailored educational interventions for sustainable entrepreneurship among environmentalists. Such interventions could be integrated into sustainability and environmental sciences programs and involve direct contact with role models.