ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the importance and development of competitive advantages amongst ecopreneurial firms by examining 64 enterprises in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The chosen enterprises fulfilled two prerequisites: they have made solutions for ecological problems to their core business, and they are also market leaders in special segments for ecological products or services.
Five factors were found to account for the competitive strategies of ecopreneurial firms: ‘reputation’, ‘creativity’, ‘exclusivity’, ‘nearness to customers’ and ‘technical competence’. It appears that reputation and credibility are especially important for green businesses striving to develop a competitive market niche for themselves.
