Fast-growth firms and successful environmental entrepreneurs in emerging countries

¹ Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran
² University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
³ Chelyabinsk State University, 129, Br.Kashirinykh str., 454001, Chelyabinsk, Russia

^* Corresponding author: mirvahedi@gmail.com

Abstract

Growth is a broad area and many aspect of growth is under research especially in smaller and entrepreneurial firms. Many research show that growth and fast growth happens randomly and is not a continuous phenomenon. In this study, we investigate how successful entrepreneurs grow their firms. The investigation involved ten fast-growth firm cases in Iran -as an emerging economy- in different industries. The research is qualitative and data gathered through semi structured in-depth interviews. After coding, all interviews are mapped. By using Decision Explorer® all causal maps are analyzed. Analysis show that fast growth is a direct outcome of entrepreneurial marketing (EM) practices and indirectly influenced by serendipity. Serendipity is an element observed in many firms that generally occurs at the initial phase of firm formation and could bring great opportunities but indirectly associated with fast-growth. However, serendipity itself is not important but the ability to recognize and exploit opportunity is a crucial activity that entrepreneurs are really great at it. The ability of entrepreneurs to exploit serendipitous opportunities and use entrepreneurial marketing practices in terms of innovative products and activities/process lead to fast growth. Other elements, such as network, innovation, and perseverance, could either directly or indirectly influence growth.