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Abstract: Building on the prior work of Mayer & McPherson Frantz (2004), Gilbert et al (2011), Hockerts (2015) and Outsios and Kittler (2017), this paper reports research that pilot tests a new measure of 'sustainability mindset'. N=51 students of entrepreneurship completed the hybrid measure based on three sub-scales: empathy, compassion and connectedness to nature. Results show strong support for the validity of the measure. Based on three existing measures, strongly supported in the literature, this new measure aids understanding of which 'entrepreneurs' have the 'mindset' to become social or eco entrepreneurs. Findings reveal that the tool is suited for students to reflect on their entrepreneurial mindset e.g. have they the 'empathy' and 'compassion' associated with social entrepreneurship; and or the 'connectedness to nature' associated with ecopreneurship. Further, employers can use the new hybrid scale to assist with recruitment and selection, and development and training e.g. in identifying individuals with the 'sustainability mindset' for tackling the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The paper thus explores the meaning and significance of 'sustainability mindset' for enterprise and entrepreneurship education.
Keywords: Eco and social entrepreneurs, mindset, practice, sustainability, enterprise & entrepreneurship education
1. Introduction
'Ethical and sustainable thinking' is regarded as a key competence of entrepreneurs (EntreComp, 2017; QAA, 2018). However, little is known about the mindset of such ecopreneurs, here defined as entrepreneurs with a primary focus on social or ecological projects, over and above that of 'traditional' entrepreneurs, and with a sustainability mindset. Prior research by Outsios and Kittler (2017) examined n=20 social and commercial entrepreneurs through in-depth interviews to provide a habitus perspective that reveals the influence of education, role models and place, in the formation of environmental entrepreneurial mindset. The above authors used Dean and McMullen's (2007: 58) definition of environmental entrepreneurship ('the process of discovering, evaluating, and exploiting economic opportunities that are present in environmentally relevant market failures'). However, this definition places emphasis on the exploitation of economic opportunities whereas eco and social entrepreneurs are more likely to be characterised by concern for the environment and the conservation of resources. Thus, this paper builds on this prior research by examining the role of such values as 'empathy', 'compassion' and 'connectedness to nature'; through the development a new hybrid measure of 'sustainability mindset' based...