Authentic identity : the essence of how successful ecopreneurs communicate
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Issue Date
2009-12-02T00:05:07Z
Editor
Authors
Schauch, Chantal
License
Subject
ecopreneurship
ecopreneur
sustainability
triple bottom line
authenticity
identity
Communication Theory of Identity
ecopreneur
sustainability
triple bottom line
authenticity
identity
Communication Theory of Identity
Abstract
This thesis employed qualitative methods including grounded theory to assess how successful
ecopreneurs communicate to maintain and sustain their triple bottom line organizations. The
analysis of transcribed interviews from 13 exemplars in North America revealed five groups of
common attributes that form an overarching theme of authentic identity. This finding confirms
the Communication Theory of Identity and furthers it because it is through authentic identity that
successful ecopreneurs manage to narrow identity gaps across the four layers of identity: they
continuously strive for alignment with themselves, in relationships, among and across
stakeholder groups, and in their daily execution. Understanding ecopreneurs and their practices,
distilling recommendations, and adding to the scarce body of academic literature on
ecopreneurship, are critical because ecopreneurship, in light of the alarming economic and
environmental outlook, is establishing itself as a considerable area of business activity and
influence for social change and a sustainable future.