How Does Causal Decision-making Influence Triple-Bottom-Line Performance? An Empirical Study

Academy of Management Proceedings, vol. 2022

Abstract

What are the success factors of sustainable entrepreneurs to operate businesses with a high triple-bottom-line (3BL) performance? This study examines how the decision-making behavior among entrepreneurs with an intention for sustainability influences the 3BL performance of their businesses. Our empirical study with 489 ventures in the DACH region shows that entrepreneurial intention for sustainability has a direct and indirect effect on 3BL. The indirect effect on 3BL is mediated by causal behavior. Further, we find that causal decision-making logic strengthens green and financial performance but has no effect on social performance. Our findings contribute to understanding antecedents of 3BL performance and the conceptual understanding of decision-making in the sustainable entrepreneurship literature.

Authors 2

1. Georg Schaal Aachen Innovation and Entrepreneurship Group (WIN) – TIME Research Area

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Innovation and Entrepreneurship Group (WIN) – TIME Research Area, RWTH Aachen Un

2. Sebastian Kruse Aachen WIN Lehrstuhl

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   WIN Lehrstuhl RWTH Aaachen