In this paper, I try to bring together some of the main ideas and findings of my PhD thesis which will be finished by the end of 2011. The title of my thesis (in German) is “The Realization of Cultural Visions through Entrepreneurship – A Business Ethics Model.” The main research question can be phrased as follows: What are the appropriate theoretical concepts for answering the question, “How is it possible to build up a successful enterprise based on social purposes?” With the draft version of this paper and its presentation at the EMES Conference I wish to provide an insight into my hitherto conceptual work on the topic for an international audience.
I hope that the questions, comments and discussions at the conference will help me to improve and further develop my concepts in order to turn this draft into a full paper ready to be published. Below I introduce several concepts which are discussed in detail in my thesis.