EMBEDDEDNESS THROUGH SUSTAINABLE ENTREPENEURSHIP IN EVENTS

This study investigates sustainable entrepreneurship in events businesses to understand the value systems and social good of sustainable entrepreneurs within the sector, through a focus upon the place based, social, and psychological processes of embeddedness. Data was collected through qualitative semi-structured interviews, or qualitative survey’s with representatives of twelve UK small to medium size enterprises (SME’s) identifying as sustainable entrepreneurial businesses in the events sector. The study employed thematic analysis to develop an initial code framework and subsequent final themes. Findings indicate sustainable entrepreneurship emerged as a value system deeply embedded within the organisational identity of the sample and dependent upon the creation of place-based connections. Business expansion for sustainable entrepreneurs is perceived as diversification and adaptation to facilitate further advances in sustainable operation. The study proposes a conceptual model which demonstrates the interrelationship between embeddedness and sustainable entrepreneurship which emerges through principles of identity, attachment and place making.