Exploring the role of entrepreneurial orientation in clean technology ventures

While the positive impact of entrepreneurial orientation on business performance is broadly acknowledged, it is uncertain whether this effect also holds for sustainable performance indicators. This paper explores the moderating effects of environmental mission, stakeholder influence and firm age on the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and environmental performance and contrasts this with the effects on business performance. Data from 150 clean technology ventures supports that entrepreneurial orientation increases environmental performance. The effect of entrepreneurial orientation on environmental performance is significantly higher in the context of a strong environmental mission and strong stakeholder influence. While no significant interaction between entrepreneurial orientation and firm age exists with regard to environmental performance, this study finds that the younger the firm, the higher the leverage that entrepreneurial orientation has on its business performance. The results offer important insights on the role of entrepreneurial orientation in sustainable business contexts.