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Why Do Sustainable Ventures Fail to Attract Management Talent?

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  • Neil Aaron Thompson

    (Department of Management and Organization, School of Business and Economics, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Roosje Eijkemans

    (Department of Management and Organization, School of Business and Economics, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Entrepreneurship is widely recognized to play a crucial role in transitioning societies towards sustainability, yet sustainable ventures often have difficulty in attracting talented management employees that are necessary to scale their sustainable opportunities. This study examined 19 qualitative interviews with three interview groups (human resource managers of sustainable ventures, recently hired employees at sustainable ventures, and management professionals looking for employment opportunities) to explain the impediments of attracting management talent and what competitive advantages sustainable ventures may have in the labour market. We discuss how these findings have theoretical and practical implications for scholars and sustainable entrepreneurs by drawing out a number of ways that sustainable ventures may attract management professionals.

Suggested Citation

  • Neil Aaron Thompson & Roosje Eijkemans, 2018. "Why Do Sustainable Ventures Fail to Attract Management Talent?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-14, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:11:p:4319-:d:184409
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Mariana Man & Maria-Mădălina Bogeanu-Popa, 2020. "Impact of Non-Financial Information on Sustainable Reporting of Organisations’ Performance: Case Study on the Companies Listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-15, March.

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