The Antecedents of Humane Entrepreneurial Approach in Innovative Start-Ups

Abstract

In the current context of increasing awareness about dramatic societal challenges, a growing number of businesses, including both small enterprises and large corporations, are increasingly embracing more socially oriented behaviors and aligning their innovative strategies and business models to address specific societal needs. Widespread expectations toward more inclusive and sustainable forms of entrepreneurship are determining the need to prioritize objectives toward individuals, society, and stakeholders, beyond mere profit. This study advocates a human-centered perspective in entrepreneurial theory, recognizing human capital’s relevance in the contemporary economic landscape.

Employing a qualitative approach, the authors investigated 17 Italian innovative start-ups with a strong social orientation. Through the Gioia methodology, the authors examined the antecedents of three dimensions within the humane entrepreneurship framework – Sustainable Orientation, Entrepreneurial Orientation, and Human Resources Orientation – and their role in fostering Humane Entrepreneurial Orientation. Innovative start-ups’ outcomes reveal that three antecedents – namely, prior engagement in voluntary activities, connections within the local community, and adept relational skills – exert influence on the development of humane entrepreneurship.

Citation

Cucino, V., Feola, R. and Piccaluga, A. (2024), "The Antecedents of Humane Entrepreneurial Approach in Innovative Start-Ups", Botti, A. and Parente, R. (Ed.) Humane Entrepreneurship and Innovation (Emerald Studies in Sustainable Innovation Management), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 133-151. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83797-374-320241008