Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Department of Management and Entrepreneurship, Faculty of Economics and Entrepreneurship, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.
2
. Department of Management and Entrepreneurship, Faculty of Economics and Entrepreneurship, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.
3
Department of Management and Entrepreneurship, Faculty of Economics and Entrepreneurship, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
10.22034/jsc.2025.468076.1792
Abstract
A B S T R A C T
Waste management has become a global challenging issue due to the rapid increase in the amount of waste produced as a result of rapid economic growth, technological development, population growth, and excessive consumption. Therefore, the overall goal of this study is to identify the dimensions of green entrepreneurship development in the field of urban waste management in Kermanshah, which was conducted with a qualitative approach and data-driven theory method that seeks a local model that is appropriate to the social, cultural, economic, and specific context of Kermanshah city. The study population of this study included members of the entrepreneurship department, entrepreneurs in this field, and experts from the municipal waste organization in Kermanshah in 1402, who were selected purposefully. After conducting 12 in-depth individual interviews, theoretical saturation was achieved. Key findings showed that optimizing the waste management system, creating green entrepreneurship infrastructure, paving the way for effective private sector participation, empowering human resources, and specialized management of green entrepreneurship as causal and driving factors; Kermanshah's strategic location, financial barriers, lack of binding laws and regulations, and weak public education were the components of the background factors; intervening factors included market fluctuations and environmental instability that affected the development of green entrepreneurship in the field of municipal waste in Kermanshah. Strategies included: modeling, strengthening the role of research and academic centers, promoting marketing activities, strategic planning, financial approaches, organizational support, and educational and promotional programs. Outcomes also included economic, social, and environmental benefits.
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Efficient waste management has become a global and complex problem due to the exponential increase in the volume of waste generated by dynamic economic growth, technological advances, population growth, and increasing consumption patterns. These challenges, especially in urban areas and metropolises, have become much more apparent and require urgent and strategic solutions. Kermanshah metropolis, as one of the important population and economic centers in the west of the country, is no exception to this rule and is grappling with numerous challenges in the field of waste management. According to available statistics, about 700 tons of waste are produced daily in the urban area of Kermanshah. Although this massive volume of waste can be considered a serious challenge, it also provides a suitable platform for the emergence of entrepreneurial opportunities in areas related to waste management. In other words, the creation and development of innovative businesses in this field, in addition to helping to deal with the problems of unemployment and the phenomenon of waste collection in Kermanshah, can lead to the creation of economic and social values, etc. Accordingly, the present study aimed to investigate the dimensions of green entrepreneurship development in the field of urban waste management in Kermanshah.
Methodology
The method of this research, considering the applied purpose, in terms of data collection, is a descriptive and documentary-field research that was carried out with a qualitative and exploratory approach, by reviewing articles, texts, and related sources and experts' opinions using the data-based theory method and using the systematic method of Strauss and Corbin (1988). The main characteristic of this method is its structured coding process, which includes open, axial, and selective coding, aimed at developing fundamental theories from empirical data. The research community includes activists, experts, and entrepreneurs who have research or implementation backgrounds in the field of study, who were selected using the purposive sampling method. After 12 interviews, the exploration process reached theoretical saturation. That is, when new data do not add anything to previous insights, validation of the model and research results was achieved with the cooperation of faculty members and participants, and using the strategies of peer review, member participation, and pluralism.
Results and discussion
Based on the analysis of the data obtained from the research, 22 central factors (categories) were used as the basis for designing the paradigmatic model of the research. This model was based on 6 categories (categories), including causal conditions, background conditions, strategies, main category (main phenomenon), intervening factors, and consequences. The causal conditions of the model included optimizing the waste management system, creating green entrepreneurship infrastructure, creating a basis for effective private sector participation, empowering human resources, and specialized management of green entrepreneurship. Identifying these factors helps to understand the roots of the main phenomenon, roots without which the main phenomenon would not emerge. The strategic location of Kermanshah, financial barriers, lack of binding laws and regulations, weak public education, and socio-cultural barriers were identified as the background conditions of the research. These factors are general conditions that provide the basis for the emergence and formation of the central phenomenon with an indirect impact on it. Market fluctuations and environmental instability were included in the group of intervening conditions (factors). These factors are general conditions that affect strategies. Intervening factors are structural conditions that limit or facilitate the intervention of other factors. Modeling, strengthening the role of research and academic centers, strategic planning, financial approaches, educational and promotional programs, organizational support, and promotion of marketing activities were identified as strategies for developing green entrepreneurship in urban waste management in Kermanshah. These strategies were a targeted response to the causal, contextual, and intervening conditions identified in this study. The consequences are also the tangible and intangible results of applying the strategies. The consequences identified in this study included economic benefits, environmental benefits, and social benefits.
Conclusion
With the belief that environmental responsibility is the fundamental basis for the formation of green entrepreneurship, whose mission is to improve the environment based on sustainable development. Urban waste management can be considered one of the most important areas of this approach. Accordingly, the present study, by presenting a localized model, has identified the main paths for the development of green entrepreneurship in the field of urban waste management in Kermanshah. To advance green entrepreneurship in urban waste management in Kermanshah, consensus and alignment among all stakeholders, from policymakers and managers to the general public, are essential. This alignment, by creating a common understanding of the importance of this area and facilitating constructive interactions, can act as a driving force for sustainable development. Therefore, the paradigmatic model resulting from the research results can be the basis for policymakers' decision-making to achieve sustainable urban development.
Funding
There is no funding support.
Authors’ Contribution
Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved the content of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work declaration of competing interest none.
Conflict of Interest
Authors declared no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgments
We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper.
Keywords
