On the road to sustainability entrepreneurship: Filipino case

Abstract

Purpose

There is a desire to improve economies as a way to solve social inequities while simultaneously addressing the issue of sustainability. Young and Tilley developed a model that describes a sustainability entrepreneur. The purpose of this paper is to apply the model in the Philippine setting to determine if there exists a special entrepreneur who looks beyond profit motivations, considers social inequities, and looks towards future generations.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper used the narrative approach in learning more about the motivations and sustainability practices of two Filipino entrepreneurs. The objective was not to compare the practices of both but to match it with the 12 elements of the sustainability entrepreneur model of Young and Tilley.

Findings

The concept of sustainability entrepreneurship is unknown to the two entrepreneurs. Yet, both engaged in sustainable business practices, meant to improve living conditions of marginalized groups. However, while they have actually helped communities to take better control of their livelihood, they have not yet consciously imbibed the element of futurity.

Research limitations/implications

The paper attempts to further the model of Young and Tilley. However, since the measurement of sustainable entrepreneurship is not definitive, the researcher used pseudo-measures.

Practical implications

Informing entrepreneurs of the value of sustainability entrepreneurship, may lead to more for-profit enterprises to consider the effects of their business practices on the future of marginalized group and the environment.

Originality/value

There is no publication yet that has applied the Young and Tilley model. This paper shows that the model may have practical implications for entrepreneurs.

Citation

Santiago, A. (2013), "On the road to sustainability entrepreneurship: Filipino case", World Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, Vol. 9 No. 4, pp. 255-271. https://doi.org/10.1108/WJEMSD-01-2013-0002