Developing an Entrepreneurial Leadership Model Based on Sustainable Development in the Environmental Protection Organization
Keywords:
Leadership, entrepreneurial leadership, sustainable developmentAbstract
This study aims to design and propose a model of entrepreneurial leadership based on sustainable development within the Environmental Protection Organization to enhance managerial effectiveness and promote organizational sustainability. The research is applied in purpose, descriptive–survey in data collection method, and qualitative in nature. The study population consisted of managers of the Environmental Protection Organization in Tehran and academic experts in sustainability. Samples were selected purposefully following the principle of theoretical saturation, resulting in a final sample of 15 participants. Semi-structured interviews were used as the main data collection tool. Validity was confirmed through expert judgment, and reliability was established using the inter-coder agreement method (89%). Data were analyzed through theoretical coding (open, axial, and selective) using MAXQDA 2020 software. The analysis identified 75 initial concepts in the open coding stage, which were refined into 17 subcategories and seven main dimensions: (1) vision for sustainable growth, (2) stakeholder engagement and ethical leadership, (3) innovation and adaptability, (4) organizational culture and values, (5) governmental regulations and policies, (6) strategic resource management, and (7) sustainability-based leadership competencies. The results indicated that entrepreneurial leaders, by integrating sustainability vision, ethical decision-making, and technological innovation, guide organizations toward resilience and long-term sustainability. Entrepreneurial leadership, as a synthesis of transformational leadership qualities and entrepreneurial orientation, plays a pivotal role in steering organizations toward sustainable development. By combining innovation, risk-taking, ethical responsibility, and resource optimization, entrepreneurial leaders create economic, social, and environmental value. Therefore, implementing this model in the Environmental Protection Organization can strengthen sustainable management and support the achievement of national sustainability goals.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Roya Rouhi (Author); Seyed Rasoul Hosseini; Mohammad Naghi Imani (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
