Sustainable entrepreneurship in times of crisis: a multi-level framework

Purpose This study focuses on entrepreneurship by exploring the causal mechanisms involved in sustainability-oriented initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study is positioned in the sustainability entrepreneurship literature and utilizes the causal mechanisms of the multi-level framework as a lens. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative approach was adopted by conducting participant observation and interviews with 20 organizations operating in Lebanon, Jordan and Tunisia. Findings The findings revealed three categories of causal mechanisms, situational, action-formation and transformational, interacting at the macro, meso and micro-levels. Research limitations/implications The study is limited to 20 organizations operating in three countries in the MENA region and in specific sectors. Future studies could explore a diversity of organizations operating in different sectors and in other countries of the MENA region or beyond. Practical implications The study informs stakeholders, including support organizations, governments, local authorities, civil society organizations and businesses, on the causal mechanisms and how these impact entrepreneurial activities toward sustainability in times of crisis. Social implications This study supports efforts targeting environmental preservation through the experiences of sustainability initiatives which could potentially become lessons learned for others. Originality/value This study contributes to the expansion of the causal mechanisms multi-level framework through additional mechanisms emerging from the data and to the expansion of the sustainability entrepreneurship field of study to the MENA context.