Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences: Research Areas

Abstract:
Sustainable entrepreneurship is a continuing commitment by business to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving quality of life of workforce, families, local and global community and future generations. Entrepreneurs in the agribusiness sector contribute to the national economy in terms of income generation and social development. The study was carried out in 2014 with 30 women entrepreneurs with the aim of assessing the level of sustainable entrepreneurship in their agribusinesses and to find out whether the entrepreneurs possess the characteristics to be qualified as sustainable entrepreneurs. The enterprises were surveyed to investigate whether new innovative products, services or ideas are offered since the creation of the business, and to what extent the women entrepreneurs considered sustainability issues in their daily business activities. Data generated from the study were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The findings reveal that the women entrepreneurs are more or less aware of the environmental and social impact of their activities but less aware of economic impact. They have a moderate understanding of the concept of sustainable development and sustainability relating it to environmental issues mostly. Not a single woman interviewed has implemented a quality control procedure despite being aware of International Standard Organisation (ISO) certification, Euro Retailer and Producer Good Agricultural Practices (EUREPGAP) and good management practices due to cost implications except for good management practices. It was also noted that despite the creation of innovative products, very few concrete actions are taken in production processes that alleviate social and environmental conditions.

Keywords: agribusiness, entrepreneurship, sustainability, sustainable development, sustainable entrepreneurship

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