TY - JOUR

T1 - From Environmentalist to Ecopreneur? Target Groups and Role Models as Key Elements in Sustainable Entrepreneurship Education

AU - Hörisch, Jacob

AU - Fokuhl, Maren

AU - Buhr, Maike

AU - Dickel, Petra

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2025 The Author(s). Sustainable Development published by ERP Environment and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

PY - 2025/10/11

Y1 - 2025/10/11

N2 - This research analyses the effects of different types of educational interventions for sustainable entrepreneurship. We conducted 14 interventions for sustainable entrepreneurship and employed a pretest-posttest study of 148 participants. Mediated regression analysis shows that educational interventions for sustainable entrepreneurship increase sustainable entrepreneurship competences, which in turn positively relate to entrepreneurial intention. Specifically, the results show that environmentalists are a particularly receptive target group for sustainable entrepreneurship interventions, as the increase in competences (and hence intentions) is significantly stronger compared to other target groups. Likewise, we find indications that including role models in sustainable entrepreneurship interventions fosters the increase in competences. Based on these findings, we highlight the benefits of tailored educational interventions for sustainable entrepreneurship among environmentalists. Such interventions could be integrated into sustainability and environmental sciences programs and involve direct contact with role models.

AB - This research analyses the effects of different types of educational interventions for sustainable entrepreneurship. We conducted 14 interventions for sustainable entrepreneurship and employed a pretest-posttest study of 148 participants. Mediated regression analysis shows that educational interventions for sustainable entrepreneurship increase sustainable entrepreneurship competences, which in turn positively relate to entrepreneurial intention. Specifically, the results show that environmentalists are a particularly receptive target group for sustainable entrepreneurship interventions, as the increase in competences (and hence intentions) is significantly stronger compared to other target groups. Likewise, we find indications that including role models in sustainable entrepreneurship interventions fosters the increase in competences. Based on these findings, we highlight the benefits of tailored educational interventions for sustainable entrepreneurship among environmentalists. Such interventions could be integrated into sustainability and environmental sciences programs and involve direct contact with role models.

KW - entrepreneurship education

KW - interventions

KW - quantitative research

KW - role models

KW - sustainable entrepreneurship

KW - sustainable entrepreneurship competences

KW - target groups

KW - Sustainability sciences, Management & Economics

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105018486637&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1002/sd.70307

DO - 10.1002/sd.70307

M3 - Journal articles

JO - Sustainable Development

JF - Sustainable Development

SN - 0968-0802

ER -