342 Organizacija, V olume 56 Issue 4, November 2023 Research Papers 1 Received: 6th July 2023; accepted: 24th September 2023 Born Globals and Born Sustainables: Motives of Accumulating Wealth and of Making a Difference in the World Background/Purpose: This study investigates the distinct entrepreneurial motivations driving export activities and sustainability pursuits in Slovenian businesses, with a particular focus on differences between newborns and ma- ture enterprises. The study proposes that entrepreneurs who prioritize wealth accumulation are more likely to en- gage in export activities, particularly those running startups, under the pressures of global trade. Conversely, in light of the shifting cultural values towards sustainability, it is hypothesized that entrepreneurs who are committed to making a difference in the world will be more inclined towards sustainability engagement, a tendency that may be more pronounced in startups. Methods:To test these hypotheses, linear regression modelling, using data collected from the Global Entrepre- neurship Monitor survey of businesses in Slovenia was employed. Results: Newborns, in comparison to mature businesses, are more engaged in both exporting and sustainability pursuits. Interestingly, the motives behind these activities differ significantly. Exporting is primarily driven by the pur- suit of wealth accumulation, while sustainability engagement is motivated by the desire to make a positive difference in the world. Conclusion: These findings provide valuable insights into the unique characteristics of internationalization and sustainability pursuits in startups versus mature businesses. They highlight the role of distinct entrepreneurial moti- vations in shaping business practices, contributing to the literature on entrepreneurship and business sustainability. Keywords: Startups, Newborn businesses, Mature businesses, Born globals, Export activities, Sustainability en- gagement, Entrepreneurial motives. DOI: 10.2478/orga-2023-0023 1 Introduction In the era of globalization, firms worldwide grap- ple with the challenge of survival and growth, where cross-border trade stands as a vital component. Research indicates a strong inclination towards internationalization among startups, mainly motivated by the desire to accu- mulate personal wealth (Moen, 2002; Knight & Cavusgil, 2004). As entrepreneurs and their new ventures feel the pinch of globalization, export activities become a lucrative avenue for their aspirations. However, a noteworthy shift in societal values has been discerned over the last few years, transitioning from an emphasis on wealth accumulation to the greater appre- ciation for sustainability (Elkington, 1998). This cultural transition raises intriguing questions about entrepreneurial motives that push towards embracing sustainability within their businesses. In this context, we posit that entrepre- neurs can be driven by the aspiration to effect a significant Karin ŠIREC 1 , Mahsa SAMSAMI 2 , Thomas SCHØTT 3 1 University of Maribor, Slovenia, karin.sirec@um.si 2 University of Agder, Norway, mahsa.samsami@uia.no 3 University of Agder, University of Southern Denmark, tsc@sam.sdu.dk 343 Organizacija, V olume 56 Issue 4, November 2023 Research Papers change in the world, motivating them to adopt sustaina- bility in their business practices (Schaltegger & Wagner, 2011). Arguably, this proclivity towards making a differ- ence is especially prominent among nascent entrepreneurs, leading to an emerging category of ventures that are ‘born sustainable.’ These observations frame our research questions: What are the underlying motivations that drive entrepre- neurs towards embracing sustainability? Do newborn busi- nesses exhibit a greater inclination towards sustainability compared to their mature counterparts? In order to shed light on these questions, we delve into the dichotomy of motives driving the internationaliza- tion and sustainability endeavors of businesses at differ- ent maturity stages. By doing so, this study contributes to the body of knowledge concerning the distinctive motives that underpin the internationalization and sustainability engagements of newborn businesses, contrasting mature businesses. 2 Theoretical perspectives To set the stage for our investigation, we first discuss theories relevant to business exporting, paying particular attention to the role of startups or ‘born global’ business- es. We then transition to the topic of sustainability, plac- ing emphasis on its importance for new businesses, also known as ‘born sustainable’ businesses. 2.1 Exporting by businesses Traditional economic theories have often portrayed ex- porting as a largely economic pursuit, motivated primarily by profit maximization and wealth accumulation (Ricardo, 1817; Krugman, 1980). Over time, research has expanded upon this view, considering the role of strategic and com- petitive forces in driving businesses towards international markets (Porter, 1980; Barney, 1991). In the globalized economy, an entrepreneur’s desire to accumulate wealth can be a significant motivator for engaging in exporting (Buckley & Ghauri, 2004). Therefore, we propose our first hypothesis: Hypothesis 1. The motive of accumulating wealth pro- motes exporting. Although not a groundbreaking proposition, this hy- pothesis serves as an essential benchmark against which we can juxtapose the motivations for sustainability pur- suits. 2.2 Born globals In the wake of intensifying globalization, businesses, particularly those driven by wealth accumulation motives, are increasingly impelled to venture into exporting (Ca- vusgil & Knight, 2009). This phenomenon is partly driven by advancements in technology and communication, mak- ing it easier for startups to operate globally (McDougall & Oviatt, 2000). While mature businesses may face struc- tural and cultural inertia, making it difficult to adapt to the dynamic demands of international markets (Autio et al., 2000), newborn businesses have the advantage of agility and lack of constraints, allowing them to design business models that inherently include exporting (Coviello, 2006). Thus, we propose our second hypothesis: Hypothesis 2. Newborn businesses, compared to ma- ture ones, engage more in exporting activities. Like the first hypothesis, this idea is not new but serves as a basis for comparing sustainability pursuits among newborn and mature businesses. In addition to this, recent research has begun to ques- tion the universality of these assumptions. For instance, studies have shown that different markets and cultural con- texts might impact the extent to which wealth accumula- tion and newness drive exporting (Manolova et al., 2010). This adds another layer of complexity to our investigation and demonstrates the importance of considering contextu- al factors in our analysis. 2.3 Sustainability engagement by businesses The question of whether businesses should prioritize profits or contribute to society’s sustainability has sparked debates among economists, policymakers, and activists alike. On one end of the spectrum, we have the traditional capitalist view, exemplified by Milton Friedman, asserting the supremacy of profit maximization (Friedman, 1970). On the other, we have voices like Greta Thunberg’s that advocate for the crucial role businesses play in sustainable development (Thunberg et al., 2020). The sustainability movement has generated pressure on societies, governments, and businesses alike to take tangible action towards sustainability (Schönherr et al., 2017; Singer et al., 2022). Businesses differ significantly in their response to this pressure, and their engagement with sustainability varies widely (Figge and Helm, 2012; Tiba et al., 2019). The tension between the pursuit of wealth and the drive for sustainability could lead to loosely coupled strategies and practices in businesses, with some businesses merely paying lip service to sustainability without implementing meaningful changes, a practice known as ‘greenwashing’ (Weick, 1976; Orton and Weick, 1990; Schøtt and Wick- strøm, 2008). In contrast, businesses genuinely committed to making a difference might ‘walk the talk’ by aligning their strategies and practices with sustainability (Hockerts, 2015; Sarango-Lalangui et al., 2018; York et al., 2016). 344 Organizacija, V olume 56 Issue 4, November 2023 Research Papers The global sustainability movement, as exemplified by the adoption of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, further underscores the increasingly central role business- es play in achieving these goals (UNCTAD, 2019). This pivotal role is recognized by national authorities, including governments, who are actively engaging with these goals (Sachs et al., 2021; Schramade, 2017). Moreover, there’s a growing expectation from both governments and busi- ness leaders for businesses to actively support sustainable development pursuits (Agarwal et al., 2017). The Harmo- nious Entrepreneurship Society, founded on the principle of promoting entrepreneurial training and enterprising for sustainable development, is a notable example of this trend (Harmonious Entrepreneurship Society, 2023). Cultural norms and societal expectations also play a crucial role in promoting sustainability. In many societies, businesses are expected, if not required, to adopt sustain- ability efforts. This expectation is particularly pronounced in post-materialist cultures, which are especially favorable for sustainable development (Hechavarría et al., 2017; Ro- sati and Faria, 2019a, 2019b). In light of these arguments, we propose the following hypothesis: Hypothesis 3. The motive of making a difference in the world promotes sustainability pursuit. 2.4 The born sustainable business Recent shifts in societal values and norms, along with increasingly stringent regulations, have placed sustainabil- ity at the forefront of business considerations. While estab- lished businesses may grapple with inertia and sunk costs, inhibiting their transition towards sustainability (Hockerts, 2015), startups can be more agile and proactive in incor- porating sustainability in their strategies and practices from inception (Cohen & Winn, 2007; Dean & McMullen, 2007). Given the burgeoning societal expectation and reg- ulatory requirements for sustainability, newborn business- es have a greater dynamic capability to engage with sus- tainability compared to mature businesses (Fischer et al., 2020). This argument leads us to the following hypothesis: Hypothesis 4. Newborn, compared to mature business- es, engage with sustainability more. Furthermore, it’s critical to note the influence of cul- tural, regulatory, and societal factors in shaping the sus- tainability practices of businesses (Rosati & Faria, 2019a, 2019b; Hechavarría et al., 2017). These factors can mod- erate the relationships proposed in our hypotheses and add further nuance to our understanding of sustainability pur- suits in businesses. 3 Research design A representative sample of businesses has been sur- veyed by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) team hosed at University of Maribor (sample sizes differ across analyses, listed in the tables). GEM will make the data publicly available on its website www.gemconsorti- um.org. 3.1 Measurements 3.1.1 Exporting Exporting is measured by asking the entrepreneur, • What percentage of your annual sales revenues will usually come from customers living outside your country? The percentage is logged to reduce skewness. 3.1.2 Sustainability pursuit Engagement with sustainability in a business was measured in the GEM survey of entrepreneurs by posing six questions, • Are you aware of the 17 United Nations Sustain- able Development Goals – the 2030 agenda for sustainable development – published in 2015? • When making decisions about the future of your business, you always consider social implications Figure 1: Hypothesized effects 345 Organizacija, V olume 56 Issue 4, November 2023 Research Papers such as access to education, health, safety, inclu- sive work, housing, transportation, quality of life at work, etc. • When making decisions about the future of your business, you always consider environmental im- plications such as preservation of green areas, reduction of the emission of pollutants and tox- ic gases, selective garbage collection, conscious consumption of water, electricity and fuels, etc. • You prioritize the social and/or environmental impact of your business above profitability or growth. • Have you taken any steps to minimize the envi- ronmental impact of your business over the past year? This could include energy saving measures, measures to reduce carbon emissions or intro- ducing more efficient machinery, take care of the solid waste generated, use of recyclable material, use of alternative means of transportation, such as cycling, walking, collective rides, public transpor- tation, etc. • Have you taken any steps to maximize the so- cial impact of your business over the past year? This could include creating posts for young un- employed and other groups with limited access to the labor market; including social enterprises into your supply chain; ensuring a diverse workforce; prioritize companies and/or suppliers that take actions that respect human rights and the envi- ronment, when buying a product or service; fight against any form of child or slave labor; invest or support projects or social organizations that develop the community and include less favored groups. The six variables are positively correlated so we com- bine them by standardizing each variable and then averag- ing the six for an index of engagement with sustainability. The standardized measure of sustainability engagement, with mean 0 and standard deviation 1 across all business- es, is used to ascertain differences (Table 3) and is a de- pendent variable in our analysis (Table 4). These indicators of sustainability have been used in several recent analyses (Ismail et al., 2022; Liu et al., 2021). 3.1.3 Age of business: Newborn and mature business Age of business is here considered dichotomously, as newborn contrasted mature. A business is here considered newborn if compensation has not yet been provided or has been provided for only less than three months. By contrast, a business is considered mature if compensation has been provided for more than three months. 3.1.4 Motives Four motives are measures by asking the entrepreneur, • Please tell me the extent to which the following statements reflect the reasons you are trying to start a business. To make a difference in the world. To build great wealth or a very high income. To continue a family tradition. To earn a living because jobs are scarce. The respondent rated each motive on a five-point Lik- ert scale going from ‘strongly disagree’ to ‘strongly agree’, coded 1 to 5. 3.1.5 Control variables The multivariate analysis should control for conditions that may be related to business age and to engagement with sustainability. The GEM survey enables us to control for (Bosma, 2013), • sector, measured as four categories, extractive sector, transformative sector, business service sec- tor, consumer-oriented sector. • owners of the business, the number of owners, logged to reduce skewness. • employees of the business, the number of employ- ees, logged to reduce skewness. • gender of the entrepreneur, recorded as male (cod- ed 1) or female (coded 0). • age of the entrepreneur, the number of years of age of the entrepreneur. • education of the entrepreneur, as years of school- ing. Furthermore, exporting around the world was severe- ly disrupted in 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic. There- fore, we do not include the 2020-survey in the analysis of exporting. Moreover, we take the subsequent recovery of exporting into account by including a dummy variable for 2021 and a dummy variable for 2022. 4 Results Here we first describe the background of the business- es and then test our hypotheses. 4.1 Background of the businesses The businesses are briefly described by summary sta- tistics of their characteristics, Table 1. The big difference between newborn and mature businesses is their age, by definition. Accompanying differences are their size in 346 Organizacija, V olume 56 Issue 4, November 2023 Research Papers terms of employees, and the younger age of entrepreneurs in newborns. Perhaps more surprisingly is the difference in the entrepreneurs’ motives for running a business. The mo- tive of making a difference in the world is much stronger in newborn than in mature businesses. The background can be described further by the corre- lations among variables of interest, Table 2. 4.2 Exporting and sustainability pursuits Newborn and mature businesses differ in both export- ing and sustainability, Table 3. As many as 24% of the newborn businesses are exporting whereas only 18% of Table 1: Frequencies and means (standard deviations) of characteristics of businesses in Slovenia the mature business are exporting. The newborns, com- pared to the mature businesses, are much more engaged with sustainability. The difference is .26 standard devia- tions of sustainability pursuit, a considerable difference. The effects of age – newborn versus mature – are bet- ter ascertained by multivariate modeling with controls for other conditions, Table 4. Hypothesis 1 posits that newborn, compared to mature businesses, export more. The coefficient in the model of exporting in Table 4 is positive, showing that newborn ex- port more than mature businesses, also when other con- ditions are held constant. This supports H1. The effect is notable, .13 standard deviations of exporting. Newborn businesses Mature businesses Significance Motive: Make a difference in world 3.3 (1.6) 2.8 (1.6) *** Motive: Accumulating wealth 3.0 (1.5) 2.7 (1.5) ** Motive: Continuing family tradition 2.1 (1.6) 2.5 (1.8) ** Motive: Earning a living, jobs scarce 3.5 (1.5) 3.7 (1.5) † Sector: Extraction 5% 7% * Sector: Transformation 27% 35% *** Sector: Business services 31% 32% Sector: Consumer services 37% 26% *** Age of the business 0 (0) years 9.8 (9.1) years *** Owners 2.2 (2.0) owners 2.1 (3.2) owners Employees 7.1 (35.0) employees 17.5 (50.9) employees *** Gender: Male 68% 68% Age of entrepreneur 36.9 (11.2) years 43.5 (10.6) years *** Education 13.4 (3.5) years 13.1 (3.8) years ** † p<.10 * p<.05 ** p<.01 *** p<.001 Sustainability Exporting Newborn Motive: Make diff Motive: Wealth Motive: Family Sustainability Exporting .05 Newborn .11 * .09 *** Motive: Make a difference .37 .03 .13 *** Motive: Accumulate wealth -.03 .08 * .09 ** .19 *** Motive: Family tradition .09 * -.09 ** -.06 † .02 -.01 Motive: Earn a living .12 ** -.09 * -.09 ** .11 *** .10 ** .09 ** † p<.10 * p<.05 ** p<.01 *** p<.001 Table 2: Correlations 347 Organizacija, V olume 56 Issue 4, November 2023 Research Papers Table 3: Exporting and sustainability pursuit in newborn and mature businesses Newborn Mature Significance Exporting Share of exporting. Mean (SD) 24 (33) % 18 (28) % *** Sustainability pursuit Standardized measure. Mean (SD) .20 (.90) -.06 (1.02) *** Table 4: Exporting and sustainability pursuit depending on motives and age (newborn vs mature) Exporting Sustainability pursuit Newborn (contrasted mature) .13 † H1 .25 * H2 Motive: Making a difference in the world .00 .33 *** H4 Motive: Accumulating wealth .06 † H3 -.10 * Motive: Continuing a family tradition -.09 * .06 Motive: Earning a living, jobs scarce -.04 .05 Gender of entrepreneur: Male .23 *** -.07 Age of entrepreneur .01 .10 * Education .04 .05 Sector: Extracting .06 .25 Sector: Transforming .03 -.03 Sector: Business services .10 -.20 † Owners .08 .15 * Employees .15 * .15 * Year 2021 .05 Year 2022 .17 † Constant -.40 .07 R-square .07 *** .22 *** N businesses 680 businesses in 2019, 2021, 2022 464 businesses in 2021-22 Linear regression. Reference for sector is the consumer-oriented sector. Dependent variables are standardized. Numerical independent variables are standardized. Dichotomous independent variables are 0 and 1 dummies. † p<.10 * p<.05 ** p<.01 *** p<.001 Hypothesis 2 claims that newborn, compared to mature businesses, engage with sustainability more. The positive coefficient show that newborn pursue sustainability more than mature businesses, supporting H2. The effect is con- siderable .25 standard deviations of sustainability pursuit. Thus, the effect of being newborn upon sustainability pur- suit is much stronger – about twice as strong – than the effect on exporting. Hypothesis 3 asserts that the motive of accumulating wealth promotes exporting. The effect of this motive upon exporting is estimated as positive, supporting H3 (albe- it significance is only marginal). The effect is of notable magnitude. Exporting is not discernibly affected by the motive of making a difference in the world. Hypothesis 4 says that the motive of making a differ- ence in the world promotes sustainability pursuit. The ef- 348 Organizacija, V olume 56 Issue 4, November 2023 Research Papers fect of this motive upon sustainability engagement is pos- itive, supporting H4. The effect is strong. Sustainability pursuit is negative affected by the motive of accumulating wealth. In short, the analyses support the hypotheses. New- borns, compared to mature businesses, are both more ex- porting and more sustainability engaged. But exporting and sustainably pursuits have different motives. Exporting is promoted by a motive of accumulating wealth, and sus- tainability pursuits is promoted by a motive of making a difference in the world. 5 Discussion The analyses address the research questions, What motivates entrepreneurs to pursue sustainability, and is sustainability pursued more by newborn businesses than by mature businesses? Here we discuss findings, contribu- tions, relevance, limitations, and further research. 5.1 Findings This study provides robust support for the hypothe- sized relations between age of business (newborn vs ma- ture), the entrepreneurial motives, and their respective im- pacts on exporting and sustainability pursuits. The findings underscore the significance of the entrepreneurial mindset and the lifecycle stage of the business in determining its orientation towards exporting and sustainability. Our analysis revealed that newborn businesses, when compared to their mature counterparts, were both more engaged in exporting and more sustainability-focused. Specifically, 24% of newborn businesses were involved in exporting, compared to 18% of mature businesses, indicat- ing a higher propensity among newly formed enterprises to venture beyond domestic markets. This not only supports Hypothesis 1, but also highlights the potential of newborn businesses to rejuvenate economies through international- ization. In the realm of sustainability pursuits, the differ- ence between newborn and mature businesses was even more pronounced, measured at .26 standard deviations. The newborn businesses showed a significantly greater inclination to engage with sustainability issues, bolstering the assertion made in Hypothesis 2. Such a commitment to sustainability is indicative of a shifting entrepreneurial ethos, emphasizing a balanced pursuit of economic gains and societal benefits. In exploring the motivational aspects of these en- gagements, we found a divergence in the forces driving exporting and sustainability pursuits. Exporting activities, as anticipated in Hypothesis 3, were primarily fueled by a motive of accumulating wealth. The influence of this motive was statistically significant, even though it was only marginal. This finding reaffirms the conventional economic premise that businesses are motivated by prof- it maximization. Conversely, the pursuit of sustainability was found to be significantly influenced by the motive of making a difference in the world, in line with Hypothesis 4. This motive yielded a strong positive effect, implying that entrepreneurs who align their values with making a societal impact are more likely to engage in sustainable business practices. Interestingly, the pursuit of sustaina- bility was negatively impacted by the motive of accumu- lating wealth, suggesting a tension between traditional wealth-driven entrepreneurship and the emerging ethos of sustainable entrepreneurship. Our findings present a nuanced picture of the entre- preneurial landscape. They affirm the dichotomous mo- tives driving exporting and sustainability pursuits and un- derscore the catalytic role of newborn businesses in both these domains. Importantly, they highlight the growing prominence of sustainability in entrepreneurial pursuits, a trend driven by businesses ‘born sustainable,’ which seek to balance wealth accumulation with making a positive difference in the world. 5.2 Contribution The findings from this study significantly extend our understanding of entrepreneurial motivation and its mani- festations in business activities, particularly in the context of newborn and mature businesses. By highlighting the distinct motivations driving internationalization and sus- tainability pursuits, the research illuminates a new facet of entrepreneurial orientation. It uncovers the juxtaposi- tion of the traditional wealth-driven motive for exporting and the contemporary world-change-driven motive for sustainability engagement, thereby adding to the entrepre- neurship literature. Moreover, by substantiating the unique propensity of newborn businesses towards both exporting and sustain- ability engagement, this study contributes to the ongoing discourse on ‘born globals’ and ‘born sustainables’. It un- derscores the transformative potential of such businesses, who exhibit agility and responsiveness to evolving eco- nomic and societal expectations. 5.3 Relevance In a world characterized by global interdependencies and mounting environmental and social challenges, these findings hold profound relevance for both policy and prac- tice. For policymakers, understanding the motivations and proclivities of businesses at different lifecycle stages can inform initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable interna- tionalization. For practitioners, especially budding en- 349 Organizacija, V olume 56 Issue 4, November 2023 Research Papers trepreneurs, these insights can guide strategic decisions regarding internationalization and sustainability engage- ment. 5.4 Limitations While this study provides substantial insights, it is not without limitations. The sample consisted solely of businesses in Slovenia, limiting the generalizability of the findings. Furthermore, this research only considered two dimensions of entrepreneurial motivation and did not account for the potential influence of other motivational factors. Additionally, the study focused on the motives of the entrepreneurs, which might not fully capture the com- plete organizational dynamics influencing exporting and sustainability pursuits. 5.5 Further Research Further research could aim to address the limitations of the present study. 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Her research areas encompass entrepreneurship, business economics, innovations, female entrepreneurship, high-growth entrepreneurship, as well as the establishment and growth of businesses. Furthermore, she is a part of the Slovenian Entrepreneurship Monitor, the DIANA international research group, and contributes as a country expert to the European Commission/OECD’s Inclusive Entrepreneurship project. 351 Organizacija, V olume 56 Issue 4, November 2023 Research Papers Mahsa Samsami studied for a Ph.D. at the University of Agder, Norway. She has assisted in teaching and research in Norway, Spain, Denmark, South Africa, and Iran. She is a member of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, co-authoring several national reports and special global reports on women entrepreneurship for GEM. Her research focuses on the entrepreneurial tradition as established and institutionalized in a society, in an entrepreneurial family, and in an entrepreneur. She publishes in journals such as International Review of Entrepreneurship, European Journal of International Management, and Journal of Risk and Financial Management. Thomas Schøtt earned a Ph.D. at Columbia University and a postdoc at Yale University, and has held professorships in USA, Denmark, China, Colombia, Iran, Morocco, Egypt, and Norway, where he is currently Professor of Entrepreneurship. He has consulted for international organizations and given numerous workshops around the world on entrepreneurship research. He has been a leader in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor and is currently a member of the teams in Egypt, Turkey and Morocco. His research is mostly on networks and institutions in entrepreneurship, published, e.g., in Entrepreneurship and Regional Development, in Small Business Economics, and in Research Policy. Rojeni globalno in rojeni trajnostno: Motivi za ustvarjanje bogastva in spreminjanje sveta Ozadje in namen: Prispevek proučuje različne podjetniške motive, ki spodbujajo izvozne dejavnosti in prizadevanja za trajnostni razvoj v slovenskih podjetjih, s posebnim poudarkom na razlikah med novonastalimi in zrelimi podjetji. Študija predlaga, da se podjetniki, ki dajejo prednost ustvarjanju bogastva, pod pritiski svetovne trgovine pogosteje ukvarjajo z izvoznimi dejavnostmi, zlasti tisti, ki vodijo zagonska podjetja. Nasprotno pa v luči spreminjanja kulturnih vrednot v smeri trajnosti predpostavlja, da bodo podjetniki, ki so zavezani k spreminjanju sveta, bolj nagnjeni k traj- nostnemu udejstvovanju, pri čemer je ta težnja lahko izrazitejša v zagonskih podjetjih. Metodologija: Za preverjanje hipotez je bilo uporabljeno linearno regresijsko modeliranje z uporabo podatkov, zbra - nih v raziskavi Global Entrepreneurship Monitor med podjetji v Sloveniji. Rezultati: Novonastala podjetja so v primerjavi z zrelimi podjetji bolj vključena tako v izvoz kot tudi v trajnostna prizadevanja. Zanimivo je, da se motivi za te dejavnosti bistveno razlikujejo. Pri izvozu jih vodi predvsem težnja po ustvarjanju bogastva, medtem ko jih pri trajnostnem udejstvovanju motivira želja po pozitivnih spremembah v svetu. Zaključek: Te ugotovitve zagotavljajo dragocen vpogled v edinstvene značilnosti internacionalizacije in prizadevanj za trajnost v zagonskih podjetjih v primerjavi z zrelimi podjetji. Poudarjajo vlogo različnih podjetniških motivacij pri oblikovanju poslovnih praks in prispevajo k literaturi o podjetništvu in trajnosti podjetij. Ključne besede: Startupi, Novo nastajajoča podjetja, Zrela podjetja, Podjetja rojena globalno, Izvozne dejavnosti, Trajnostna naravnanost, Podjetniški motivi