Purpose-driven entrepreneurship : when business venturing makes a difference.

There has been a global rise in purpose-driven entrepreneurship in recent years, as evidenced by individuals entering and persisting in business venturing aspiring to make a difference in the world. While seeking purpose beyond profits is expected among social entrepreneurs, should we also expect the owners of for-profit commercial business ventures who have historically been portrayed as self-oriented to also aspire to make a difference in the world? This dissertation explores this “purpose-driven” phenomenon among commercial entrepreneurs by examining the influence of aspirations to make a difference in the world on decision-making in their ventures. Through an inductive qualitative research approach, this dissertation demonstrates that purpose-driven aspirations can play a significant role in shaping the venture decisions of commercial entrepreneurs and introduces a theory of entrepreneurial purpose. The dissertation reveals three primary pathways by which commercial entrepreneurs fulfill purpose-driven aspirations in business venturing and a typology of five distinct purpose-seeking profiles of commercial entrepreneurs.