PhD defence Jens Kaus

Jens Kaus will defend his PhD thesis entitled “Steering the Sustainability Course: A Collective Voyage” at 12.00 hours. The defence will be followed by an on-site reception.

Note: The defence can also be followed online via a livestream.

Summary
This PhD thesis investigates the emergence and development of sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems in non-metropolitan areas. These ecosystems provide the supporting framework necessary to foster sustainable entrepreneurship which addresses societal challenges through business logic. This PhD thesis finds that sustainable entrepreneurship can manifest in different ways, such as new ventures, sustainable intrapreneurship in established enterprises, cross-sector collaborations, or cooperatives. Key findings underscore the critical importance of local context and tailored strategies in promoting entrepreneurial activities that drive societal transformation toward sustainability. It is essential for ecosystems actors to cultivate a conducive environment for sustainable entrepreneurship, encompassing resources, support organizations, events, policies, and networks that are attuned to regional sustainability opportunities and responsive to place-based challenges. A pivotal aspect of these ecosystems is their ability to cultivate a shared identity among diverse stakeholders, which is crucial for fostering unity, a sense of belonging, and guiding collaborative actions toward sustainable goals. The findings highlight the importance of ecosystem leadership and the potential of regional culture to facilitate these activities. Additionally, this PhD thesis reveals the significant role of bottom-up initiatives alongside top-down interventions in shaping the evolution of sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems through the co-creation of sustainability opportunities.

About Jens Kaus
Jens Kaus is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Maine (Maine Business School). His research centers around sustainable entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial ecosystems, and the role of place in shaping cross-sector work towards sustainability. He previously held a visiting position at the University of Michigan (Erb Institute) and is currently finalizing his PhD at the University of Groningen. His PhD thesis investigates social processes related to the emergence and development of sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems through multiple case study research.