Strategic Management Quarterly
September 2016, Vol. 4, No. 3, pp. 27-47
ISSN: 2372-4951 (Print), 2372-496X (Online)
Copyright ©The Author(s). All Rights Reserved.
Published by American Research Institute for Policy Development
DOI: 10.15640/smq.v4n3a2
URL: https://doi.org/10.15640/smq.v4n3a2
Ethics and Entrepreneurship: A Supply Side Examination
Breena E. Coates, Ph.D.
1
& Mike Stull, Ph.D.
2
Abstract
This research study examines the relationship entrepreneurs have with their supply
chains from the triple bottom line (TBL)—i.e., an ethical perspective. The central
question posed is: “Can entrepreneurs create sustainable supply chains and at the
same time meet profit objectives? To answer this question the research methodology
involved analyses of cases of entrepreneurial ventures that successfully incorporated
TBL in supply chain ethics. From a body of 9 cases studied, 6 were chosen as
illustrative for this paper. Lessons learned include that a latent fourth “F” in the
existing 3 well-known “Fs” of Entrepreneurship
3
has emerged. The paper discusses
fusion of principal and agent in the supply chain creates organizational success. An
idiographic methodology examines the phenomena of ethics in supply chain
management and organizational success from examination of 6 case studies of firms
with global impact
Keywords: Entrepreneurs, ethics, conservation, corporate citizenship, CSR, focus,
fusion, gender mainstreaming, poverty, supply chain management and sustainability
1. Introduction
The doctrine of homo economics
4
(Friedman 1979)—i.e., the wealth-maximizing
economic corporate leader, who rationally pursues his self-interested ends, through
subjectively-defined (but legal) goals--has been eroding in the 21
st
century
5
.
1
Professor of Global Strategy, California State University, San Bernardino.
2
Professor of Entrepreneurship, California State University, San Bernardino.
3
There are three famous “Fs” in Entrepreneurship, Family, Friends and Fools”
4
Economic man
5
Shareholder theory epitomized by Friedman, posits the notion that corporate agents of
shareholders (i.e., managers) should behave in ways that maximizes profits within the laws of a
society.