Introduction
This research analyses the longitudinal evolution of a sample of green small businesses from the early 1990''s to the current day. Using a sample of
ecopreneurs identified in the 1991 publication by Bennett and a similar publication by Gustav Berle (1991), this study identifies and tracks the
evolution of these companies from their early beginnings to current day developments. The study tracks their business models, successes, failures, mergers and acquisitions to consider the patterns that emerge within the individual enterprises. The development of the dataset and subsequent analysis
is funded by The Nuffield Foundation Small Grant Scheme (awarded October 2009) and I grateful acknowledge their support.
ecopreneurs identified in the 1991 publication by Bennett and a similar publication by Gustav Berle (1991), this study identifies and tracks the
evolution of these companies from their early beginnings to current day developments. The study tracks their business models, successes, failures, mergers and acquisitions to consider the patterns that emerge within the individual enterprises. The development of the dataset and subsequent analysis
is funded by The Nuffield Foundation Small Grant Scheme (awarded October 2009) and I grateful acknowledge their support.
Read about the findings
Books & Journals
Holt, D. (2012), The Journey of a ‘Green’ Micro-Enterprise –The Green Planet. Corporate Social Responsibility and Env.Management, 19(2), pp.90-101.
Holt, D. (2011), The Longitudinal Evolution Of Environmental ‘Ecopreneurs’ From The 1990s: Mergers And Acquisitions and The Waste Management Industry. In Eweje, G & Perry, M (Eds), Business & Sustainability: Concepts, Strategies and Changes, Emerald Publishing pp.101-120 ISBN:9781780524382
Holt, D. (2011), Where are they now? Tracking the longitudinal evolution of environmental businesses from the 1990s. Business Strategy and the Environment, 20(4), pp. 238-250
Conference Papers
Holt, D. (2011), Mainstreaming environmental enterprises – a strategic longitudinal analysis. 17th International Sustainable Development Conference, Columbia University USA, May.
Holt, D. (2010), Analysing the longitudinal evolution of‘ecopreneurs’ – an extension of Bennett and Berle.16th Annual International Sustainable Development Research Conference, 30 May – 1st June, Hong Kong.
Holt, D (2009) Evaluating Bennett’s Ecopreneurs: where are they now?, Academy of Management Conference, Chicago, August 7-12
Holt, D. (2012), The Journey of a ‘Green’ Micro-Enterprise –The Green Planet. Corporate Social Responsibility and Env.Management, 19(2), pp.90-101.
Holt, D. (2011), The Longitudinal Evolution Of Environmental ‘Ecopreneurs’ From The 1990s: Mergers And Acquisitions and The Waste Management Industry. In Eweje, G & Perry, M (Eds), Business & Sustainability: Concepts, Strategies and Changes, Emerald Publishing pp.101-120 ISBN:9781780524382
Holt, D. (2011), Where are they now? Tracking the longitudinal evolution of environmental businesses from the 1990s. Business Strategy and the Environment, 20(4), pp. 238-250
Conference Papers
Holt, D. (2011), Mainstreaming environmental enterprises – a strategic longitudinal analysis. 17th International Sustainable Development Conference, Columbia University USA, May.
Holt, D. (2010), Analysing the longitudinal evolution of‘ecopreneurs’ – an extension of Bennett and Berle.16th Annual International Sustainable Development Research Conference, 30 May – 1st June, Hong Kong.
Holt, D (2009) Evaluating Bennett’s Ecopreneurs: where are they now?, Academy of Management Conference, Chicago, August 7-12
Read about some of the case studies
Aveda - Acquired by the Estée Lauder Companies in 1997
Earth's Best - Acquired in 1996 by H.J. Heinz Company
Ecco Bella - Success
EcoBags - Success
EcoSacs - No longer trading
EnSave - Success
Hundt Dairy Farm - Success
LUZ International Ltd - No longer trading (but LUZ II operational)
Nasoya - Acquired by Vitasoy USA, Inc (subsidiary of Hong Kong based Vitasoy International Holdings Ltd)
NaturalLawn Inc - Success
Rainbow Blossom - Success
Real Goods Trading Company - Merged with Gaiam Inc, in 2001
Seventh Generation - Success (temporarily sold to Gaiam, Inc.)
Urban Ore Inc - Success
Vangel Paper Company - Success
Earth's Best - Acquired in 1996 by H.J. Heinz Company
Ecco Bella - Success
EcoBags - Success
EcoSacs - No longer trading
EnSave - Success
Hundt Dairy Farm - Success
LUZ International Ltd - No longer trading (but LUZ II operational)
Nasoya - Acquired by Vitasoy USA, Inc (subsidiary of Hong Kong based Vitasoy International Holdings Ltd)
NaturalLawn Inc - Success
Rainbow Blossom - Success
Real Goods Trading Company - Merged with Gaiam Inc, in 2001
Seventh Generation - Success (temporarily sold to Gaiam, Inc.)
Urban Ore Inc - Success
Vangel Paper Company - Success