Antecedents of environmental value creation: an analysis with ecopreneurs in a developing country

ABSTRACT Ecopreneurs emerged as a specific class of entrepreneurs that demonstrate skills to connect business activities with the natural environment. However, while literature has come a long way in addressing drivers and motivations behind value creation in ‘traditional’ entrepreneurs, a conspicuous gap remains when it comes to the generation of environmental value in the ecopreneurial cohort. In this article we assess these relationships by focusing on the impact of ecopreneurial perspectives on environmental value creation, considering the effects of empathy, moral obligation, ecopreneurial self-efficacy, perceived social support, and environmental engagement of ecopreneurs. The sample consisted of 130 ecopreneurs participating in the Atlantic Forest Connection Project in southeastern Brazil, home to one of the most important ecoregions in the world. Analytical procedures involved Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA). According to the PLS-SEM results, antecedents with a positive effect comprehend ecopreneurial self-efficacy, perceived social support, and environmental engagement. Complementarily, the fsQCA analysis indicates that three different configurations are sufficient for a high level of value creation, where empathy and perceived social support function as pivotal elements across paths. These findings contribute to formulating initiatives that aim at fostering sustainable transitions in entrepreneurial ecosystems. The research also contributes with analytical insights to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).