Students as Sustainability Change Agents: Examining Barriers and Opportunities within University Incubators

Chaudhary, Anum (2024) Students as Sustainability Change Agents: Examining Barriers and Opportunities within University Incubators. Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

Preview

PDF (Master of Science) Download (1MB) | Preview

Abstract

As universities increasingly recognize their role in addressing global sustainability challenges, their business incubators have the potential to become hubs of innovation for a more sustainable future. This qualitative study explored the integration of sustainability principles within two university business incubators based in Ireland. Using thematic analysis of interviews with incubator staff and student sustainability leaders, the research examined the facilitators and barriers to sustainability integration within these environments. Key findings revealed a strong influence of university strategy and priorities on incubator actions. While both incubators desire a holistic approach to sustainability, resource limitations and lack of structured staff training often create hurdles. The study highlighted a "mindset gap" between traditional and sustainability-focused approaches and emphasized the untapped potential of student leaders who face barriers of "limited time" and a lack of financial resources. Additionally, the strategic use of external partnerships helps compensate for internal capacity limitations.

Based on these findings, the study recommends aligning the incubator's mission with overarching sustainability goals, providing formal training for incubator staff, bridging mindsets through intergenerational collaboration, integrating sustainability into the student experience, providing funding opportunities to students, and empowering student-led initiatives. While acknowledging limitations such as potential selection bias and the Irish context, this research offers valuable insights for universities seeking to cultivate a new generation of sustainability-minded entrepreneurs. It further emphasizes the need for future research to explore best practices and track the implementation impact of such interventions within university incubation environments.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Supervisors:	Name Email Evans Fitzsimons, Jennifer UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords:	sustainability; university incubators; sustainable entrepreneurship; student engagement; institutional theory
Subjects:	L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory > Entrepreneurship G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences > Environment
Divisions:	School of Business > Master of Science in Entrepreneurship
Depositing User:	Ciara O'Brien
Date Deposited:	06 Jun 2025 09:28
Last Modified:	06 Jun 2025 09:28
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/7776

Actions (login required)

View Item