ABSTRACT
While identity theory explains how role and social identity are related, we know little about how they may complement and conflict with one another in processes of sustainable entrepreneurship. In this chapter we theorize how social and role identities interact for sustainable entrepreneurs, who focus on economic, social, and environmental goals. Using the context of entrepreneurial accelerators, we propose that sustainable entrepreneurs may benefit from joining traditional, economically- focused accelerators, but that such benefits are dependent upon entrepreneurs’ ability to manage their various identities. We develop a process model suggesting that emergence of sustainable entrepreneurs’ ventures may be impacted positively or negatively based on the relative salience or dissonance of role and social identities.
