Green entrepreneurial behavior in emerging economies: A mixed-methods model of economic, social, and environmental drivers of sustainable transformation

The increasing urgency of global environmental challenges has positioned green entrepreneurship as a vital pathway for sustainable economic development, social inclusion, and ecological preservation. However, empirical research integrating economic, social, and environmental determinants of green entrepreneurial behavior remains limited, particularly in emerging economies such as Saudi Arabia. This study examines the combined effects of economic, social, and environmental factors on green entrepreneurial intention (GEI) and its subsequent influence on green entrepreneurial behavior (GEB). A mixed-methods design was employed. Quantitative data were collected from 412 respondents and analyzed using PLS-SEM. In addition, 16 semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed using thematic analysis in NVivo. The results reveal that access to funding, market conditions, resource efficiency, subjective norms, education and skill development, environmental awareness, and environmental regulations significantly and positively affect GEI, whereas attitude and collaboration are not significant. Furthermore, GEI emerged as a strong predictor of GEB. The qualitative findings support these results, highlighting the role of government support, consumer awareness, and institutional frameworks. The findings have important implications for policymakers, educators, and practitioners by emphasizing the need for targeted financial, regulatory, and educational interventions. Specifically, policymakers should prioritize green financing schemes, regulatory incentives, and sustainability-focused education programs, while entrepreneurs are encouraged to adopt resource-efficient technologies, circular business models, and innovation-driven strategies. This research makes an original contribution by integrating the three pillars of green development economic, social, and environmental into a unified conceptual framework, providing a mixed-methods investigation of green entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia, and offering pathways to accelerate sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems.