Implementation Characteristics of Green Entrepreneurship in the Greek Furniture Sector

Green entrepreneurship is a rapidly growing segment of entrepreneurship which focuses on the environmental integrity and societal impact of businesses to provide competitive advantages for firms. The aim of the present study is to document the views of furniture entrepreneurs regarding green entrepreneurship and its implementation by their firms. Based on literature review and data analysis we investigate specific hypotheses about the role of green entrepreneurship and its impact on sector's competitiveness exploring the main characteristics of green entrepreneurial activities. Findings verify our hypotheses that green entrepreneurship could accomplish the role of an alternative strategy for enhancing competitiveness of furniture industry and exiting the existing economic crisis. Specific initiatives of green entrepreneurial activities implemented by furniture companies, aim mainly towards product and process certification and implementation of environmental management systems. Environmental certification constitutes a main element of green entrepreneurship in the Greek furniture sector. However, a high percentage of the questioned firms are not sure about the future of green entrepreneurship in Greece.