The Influence of Environmental Pollution and Drought on the Satisfaction With Life of Entrepreneurs in Zambia’s Mining Sector

Choongo, Progress; Eijdenberg, Emiel L.; Lungu, John; Chabala, Mwansa; Taylor, Thomas K.; Masurel, Enno

Following contemporary trends of entrepreneurship research, measures of entrepreneurship, in terms of corporate social responsibility in relation to business performance (as an indicator of welfare, which is monetary well-being), has been investigated abundantly in developing countries. However, the consequences of climate change and natural disasters, such as environmental pollution and drought, have hardly been studied on the satisfaction with life (i.e., well-being) of entrepreneurs in developing countries. Therefore based on questionnaires administered to 132 entrepreneurs in the mining sector of the Copperbelt Province and North-Western Province of Zambia (i.e., the developing country context of this study), this chapter shows that environmental pollution and drought have a negative effect on satisfaction with life. Moreover, environmental pollution and drought have negative effects on both business’ profitability and decision-making. The results involve contributions to the existing literature and practical suggestions for entrepreneurs, policymakers, and educators.