Characteristics of the leaders of social and environmental enterprises in Latin America and the relationship with the success of their businesses

• Published in: Management research (Armonk, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2024-07, Vol.22 (3), p.275-302
• Main Authors: Ramirez Lozano, Julianna Paola, Marquina Feldman, Percy Samoel, Peñaflor Guerra, Renato
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Business models; Corporate culture; Economic growth; Employees; Entrepreneurs; Innovations; Leadership; Multiculturalism & pluralism; Small & medium sized enterprises-SME; Social change; Social entrepreneurship; Society
• ISSN: 1536-5433; 1536-5433; 1558-0946
• DOI: 10.1108/MRJIAM-02-2023-1382

Purpose This study aims to understand the leadership characteristics of founders of social and environmental enterprises in Latin America who have achieved business success with a focus on sustainability despite difficult social, economic, political and even health contexts in which they live. Design/methodology/approach This nonexperimental research is a qualitative, descriptive and exploratory study. Twenty-one in-depth interviews were conducted with social/environmental entrepreneurs of the Kunan Network (an organization that groups the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Peru). Findings The study analyzes the leadership profile and characteristics of entrepreneurs who have created profitable businesses with a social/environmental focus that solve relevant social problems and contribute to improving people’s quality of life and caring for the environment. Research limitations/implications Although only 21 business leaders with outstanding participation and positive social and environmental impact were included in this study, they were supported and recognized by the Kunan Network. Originality/value The study contributed to the conceptualization and understanding of the profile of leaders of social and environmental enterprises, whose main challenges are to solve social or environmental problems of society and contribute to improving the quality of life of people and the environment. Knowing the profile of these entrepreneurs generates value to the knowledge of the subject and contributes to understand and propose strategies to improve the ecosystem of social-environmental entrepreneurship in emerging countries such as Peru. This will contribute to the creation of relationships and alliances with various social actors: public, private, third sector, academia, among others, for the management and promotion of sustainable business. Objetivo El estudio busca conocer las características de liderazgo de los fundadores de empresas sociales y ambientales en América Latina que lograron el éxito de sus negocios desde un enfoque de sostenibilidad a pesar del difícil contexto social, económico, político e incluso sanitario en el cual viven. Diseño/metodología/enfoque En la investigación no experimental de tipo estudio cualitativo, descriptivo y exploratorio, se realizaron 21 entrevistas en profundidad a emprendedores socio/ambientales de la Red Kunan (organización que agrupa el ecosistema emprendedor en el Perú). Resultados El estudio analiza el perfil de liderazgo y las