*** Apologies for any cross-postings ***
Call for Papers: Sustainability in Entrepreneurship and SMEs (Conference Tracks & Special Issue)
Guest Editors:
Elli Verhulst, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
Lise Aaboen, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
Simon Jebsen, University of Southern Denmark (SDU)
The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are ubiquitous these days, and the SDG Business Forum (2017) recognized businesses' vital role in delivering on the promise of sustainable and inclusive development. However, there are still many unanswered questions about approaching sustainability in entrepreneurship and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). To become sustainable, entrepreneurs and SMEs need to consider social and environmental aspects in their business operations, next to being financially sound. Over the years, research on sustainability in businesses has moved from an end-of-life focus, looking at technical solutions for material recycling, to reducing resources throughout the life cycle of products and services. There has also been a shift towards internal managerial issues related to products, services, technologies, business, organizational models, external relational challenges, and sustainability performance (Cillo et al., 2019). In addition, sustainability in entrepreneurship is an emerging and fast-growing research area (Hummels & Argyrou, 2021; Shepherd & Patzelt, 2011). Recent research (Terán-Yépez et al., 2020) indicates several topics that need further exploration, including interdisciplinary collaboration for sustainability, learning for sustainability, and the integration of sustainability in entrepreneurship and SMEs.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration for Sustainability
Sustainability-related problems are multifaceted 'wicked problems' that are difficult to solve due to their complicated interdependencies (Pryshlakivsky & Searcy, 2013). Therefore, varied perspectives, knowledge from different fields, and skills are needed to shed light on a broad range of aspects of the problems. Interdisciplinary approaches are thus key to sustainable development. However, interdisciplinarity does not simply happen through a mingling of disciplines or various perspectives. It requires well-functioning dynamics, methods, and processes, allowing teams and organizations to collaborate efficiently and, preferably, excellently (Koria et al., 2011). Next to interdisciplinarity, sustainable development requires explicit attention to the complex intertwining of social, economic, and ecological issues inherent in such challenges.
Learning for Sustainability
Sustainability challenges require generic and specific knowledge, skills, and attitudes - competencies for sustainable development and entrepreneurship -to tackle future complex sustainability challenges (UNESCO, 2018; Ploum et al., 2018). Higher education plays a significant role in educating these future change agents (Zhou et al., 2020). Several entrepreneurship education approaches enable universities to educate change agents in all disciplines (Aadland and Aaboen, 2020; Neergård et al., forthcoming). However, there is a need for additional theoretical and empirical insights on which and how learning philosophies and pedagogical theories support sustainability and the role that curricular and extra-curricular sustainability initiatives play in moving entrepreneurial universities towards a sustainable transition.
The Integration of Sustainability in Entrepreneurship and SMEs
There is agreement on the need for a transition towards sustainability in entrepreneurship and SMEs. However, the route to take is not as straightforward. Research questions arise related to the shift from traditional to sustainable business models and which methods and practices are available for entrepreneurs and SMEs that support this process (Tsvetkova et al., 2020). Further, a critical perspective is needed on the Nordic approach and how this approach supports or hinders the transition towards sustainability in entrepreneurship and SMEs (Ali et al., 2016). Lastly, it is also necessary to include the social dimension addressing processes of good work, organized well-being, fairness, inclusion, empowerment, and engagement (Hauff & Rastetter, 2021; Edmondson, 2019).
This special issue provides a forum for presenting and discussing both empirical and conceptual research that focuses on sustainability in entrepreneurship and SMEs. We encourage papers inquiring about the following themes (but not limited to):
* Interdisciplinary collaboration for sustainability
* Co-creation for sustainability
* Moral and ethical issues in interdisciplinary teamwork for sustainability
* Virtual teamwork
* Sustainability in SME networks
* Entrepreneurial ecosystem for sustainability
* Learning for sustainability
* Sustainability in entrepreneurship education
* Competences for sustainable entrepreneurship
* Collaborative and project-based learning for sustainability
* Learning philosophies and pedagogical theories that support sustainability
* Curricular and extra-curricular sustainability initiatives in entrepreneurial universities
* The integration of sustainability in entrepreneurship and SMEs
* Methods for sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship
* Sustainability practices in SMEs and their internal and external drivers
* The Nordic approach toward sustainability
* The transition from traditional to sustainable business models
* Socially sustainable work practices for learning, innovation, and well-being
Full papers for this special issue of management revue - Socio-Economic Studies must be submitted by 31 August 2022. All contributions will be subject to double-blind review. Papers invited to a "revise and resubmit" are due 31 January 2023. The publication is scheduled for issue 4/2023. Please submit your papers electronically via the online submission system<https://ojs.nomos-journals.de/index.php?journal=manrev> using "SI Sustainability in Entrepreneurship and SMEs" as the article section.
Submission Guidelines
The manuscript length should not exceed 9,000 words (excluding references), and the norm should be 30 pages in double-spaced type with margins of about 3 cm (1 inch) on each page. Further, please follow the guidelines on the journal's homepage<https://www.mrev.nomos.de/guidelines/>.
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Elli Verhulst ([log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>)
Lise Aaboen ([log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>)
Simon Jebsen ([log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>)
References
Aadland, T. & Aaboen, L. (2020). An entrepreneurship education taxonomy based on authenticity. European Journal of Engineering Education, 45(5): 711-728.
Ali, F., Verhulst, E. & Boks, C. (2016). The 'Nordic approach' and how it may support Design for Sustainability. Proceedings of NordDesign 2016, Volume 1, Trondheim Norway, The Design Society, UK.
Cillo, V., Petruzzelli, A. M., Ardito, L., & Del Giudice, M. (2019). Understanding sustainable innovation: A systematic literature review. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 26(5):1012-1025.
Edmondson, A. C. (2019), The fearless organization: creating psychological safety in the workplace for learning, innovation, and growth. John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, New Jersey.
Hauff, S., & Rastetter, D. (2021). Good work: Eroding and New Standards in a Changing World. Management Revue - Socio-Economic Studies, 32(3), 147-151. https://doi.org/10.5771/0935-9915-2021-3-147
Hummels, H., & Argyrou, A. (2021). Planetary demands: Redefining sustainable development and sustainable entrepreneurship. Journal of Cleaner Production, 278, 123804, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.123804
Koria, M., Salimäki, M., & Karjalainen, T.-M. (2011). Designing multidisciplinary learning for the real world. IDBM Papers Vol.1 (pp. 50-63). Helsinki: Aalto University
Neergård, G-B, Aaboen, L. & Politis, D. (Forthcoming). Enabling Entrepreneurial Empowerment through a Three-Day Entrepreneurship Camp. Entrepreneurship Education and Pedagogy.
Ploum L, Blok V, Lans T, Omta O. Toward a Validated Competence Framework for Sustainable Entrepreneurship. Organization & Environment. 2018;31(2):113-132, https://doi.org/10.1177/1086026617697039<https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1086026617697039>
Pryshlakivsky, J., & Searcy, C. (2013). Sustainable development as a wicked problem. Managing and engineering in complex situations (pp. 109-128): Springer.
SDG Business Forum. (2017). Business Communiqué. Available at: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/ 16635Business_Communiqu.pdf
Shepherd, D. A., & Patzelt, H. (2011). The new field of sustainable entrepreneurship: Studying entrepreneurial action linking "what is to be sustained" with "what is to be developed". Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 35(1), 137-163.
Terán-Yépez, E., Marín-Carrillo, G. M., del Pilar Casado-Belmonte, M., & de las Mercedes Capobianco-Uriarte, M. (2020). Sustainable entrepreneurship: Review of its evolution and new trends. Journal of Cleaner Production, 252, 119742.
Tsvetkova, D., Bengtsson, E., & Durst, S. (2020). Maintaining Sustainable Practices in SMEs: Insights from Sweden. Sustainability: Science Practice and Policy, 12(24), 10242. https://doi.org/10.3390/su122410242
UNESCO (2018) Issues and trends in Education for Sustainable Development. Eds. Leicht, Heiss and Byun. UNESCO Publishing, Paris, France.
Zhou, L., Rudhumbu, N., Shumba, J., & Olumide, A. (2020). Role of higher education institutions in the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals. Sustainable Development Goals and institutions of higher education (pp. 87-96): Springer
Venlig hilsen/Best wishes
Simon Jebsen, née Fietze
Simon Jebsen
Associate Professor
T +45 6550 1748
Editor-in-Chief of management revue - Socio-Economic Studies<http://www.mrev.nomos.de/> (listed in ESCI, Scopus, ABS 2018, EconLit)
Head of Research Program Organizing Social Sustainability<https://www.sdu.dk/en/om_sdu/institutter_centre/idk/forskning/forskningsprogrammer/organizing+social+sustainability> at SDU Department of Design and Communication
Coordinator for the H2020-MSCA-RISE Project Entrepreneurial Management for Fostering Innovation and Talents<https://em4fit.sdu.dk/> (EM4FIT)
Program Responsible for the Bachelor 'Global Business Relationships'<http://mitsdu.dk/en/mit_studie/Bachelor/ha_soenderborg> at SDU Sønderborg
Syddansk Universitet/University of Southern Denmark
Institut for Entreprenørskab og Relationsledelse/Department of Entrepreneurship and Relationship Management
Alsion 2 | 6400 Sønderborg | Danmark
www.sdu.dk<http://www.sdu.dk/>
Latest publications
Rohlfer, S., Hassi, A., & Jebsen, S. (n.d.). Management Innovation and Middle Managers: The Role of Empowering Leadership, Voice, and Collectivist Orientation. Management and Organization Review, 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1017/mor.2021.48
Hassi, A., Rohlfer, S., & Jebsen, S. (2021). Empowering leadership and innovative work behavior: the mediating effects of climate for initiative and job autonomy in Moroccan SMEs. EuroMed Journal of Business, (ahead-of-print). https://doi.org/10.1108/EMJB-01-2021-0010
Ottosson, M., Jebsen, S., & Matiaske, W. (2020). Paternalistic Work Regimes. Management Revue, 31(4), 395-401. https://doi.org/10.5771/0935-9915-2020-4-395
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