Sustainable entrepreneurs and public-private ties: evidences from sustainable energy transitions

Sustainable entrepreneurs are assumed to have a crucial role in fostering sustainable development. However, transitions in socio-technical systems, such as a transition to low carbon energy solutions, are unlikely to succeed without the coordination with political actions at regional level. Based on an empirical analysis of the interplay between firms and public authorities in opening new energy niche markets through Sustainable Energy Action Plans, this paper explores the role of the sustainable entrepreneurs. In particular, the paper investigates different levels of engagement with the public authorities in co-evolutionary processes towards sustainable development. From this empirical analysis, the paper derives four types of co-evolutionist sustainable entrepreneur – hero, visionary, bandwagoner, explorer – that correspond with different degrees of interaction with public authorities and system level of action. Related academic and managerial implications contribute to the current debate on sustainable entrepreneurship.