Bridging the Gap: Entrepreneurs’ Understanding of Sustainable Business Goals

Cristina Raluca Gh. Popescu () and Jarmila Duháček Šebestová ()
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Cristina Raluca Gh. Popescu: University of Bucharest
Jarmila Duháček Šebestová: Silesian University in Opava

A chapter in Business Sustainability: Innovation in Entrepreneurship & Internationalisation, 2026, pp 35-44 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract The concept of sustainable business is now a modern trend for many entrepreneurs. Some of them are focusing on a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy, while others are adopting a more limited approach, including the environmental pillar. However, sustainability must be viewed from a holistic perspective, particularly in light of the requirements of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this context, businesses must contribute to the SDGs in a way that also has a community impact. The reporting of activities through actionable SDGs is considered a crucial aspect of sustainable business. However, many contemporary businesses lack the knowledge and resources to report or measure their activities effectively, and are often unfamiliar with the content of the SDGs. This paper presents the findings of a pilot study conducted on a sample of over 400 entrepreneurs, exploring their understanding of the SDGs and their potential impact on future employee recruitment. The research was conducted in December 2023 in the Czechia. The results indicate that only 22.7% of the entrepreneurs are aware of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and may be able to work with them, for instance in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting. The findings show the group of six SDG goals they focus on and whether they are related to the business experience of the company and field of the business. Other goals are just threatened as supportive. The situation of SDG implementation could be evaluated as relatively new for entrepreneurs.

Keywords: Sustainable Business; Sustainability; Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR); Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); Entrepreneurship (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-031-99151-6_4

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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-99151-6_4

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