ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT: A DESIGN-DRIVEN PERSPECTIVE
Abstract
The built environment is where entrepreneurship has become a major determinant of economic sustainability, especially in contexts of quick urbanisation, limited resources, and volatile markets, where innovation is needed. The aim of this study is to investigate the contribution of entrepreneurial orientation and of design-driven innovation to economic sustainability in architectural and interior design-related practices. The research is based on the nexus of entrepreneurship, sustainable development, and the built environment, and examines how design innovation fits into the mix in building long-term economic viability and the role that resource-efficient design practices can play. A quantitative research design was used and structured questionnaires were administered to 260 architects, interior designers and construction management professionals with purposive sampling. The study used the method of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with the software of SmartPLS for testing of the hypothesis. The findings showed that entrepreneurial orientation indeed positively contributes to the economic sustainability, and has a significant effect on design innovation. Likewise, design innovation had a significant positive impact on economic sustainability, suggesting its mediation between the other variables. Also, it has been shown that the use of resource efficient design practices had a positive impact on the economic sustainability and thus, underlined the significance of sustainability oriented design strategies in the built environment. The model proved to be well explained, as the following results indicate that entrepreneurial orientation, design innovation and resource-efficient design all contribute to improved economic sustainability. This study's results support the empirical validation of the integration of entrepreneurship and sustainable design practices and their role in the creation of economic resilience through innovation. This study is a contribution to the literature as it offers a framework to connect entrepreneurial behavior with design innovation and sustainability outcomes in the built environment. It also has practical implications for policy makers, architects and construction professionals who are interested in encouraging economically sustainable and innovation-based development.
