Legitimation Strategies for Clean Technology Entrepreneurs Facing Institutional Voids in Emerging Economies

This research develops theory on the legitimation of firms in the context of new entrepreneurial clean technology ventures attempting to grow and develop in emerging economies where they face institutional voids. Where there are conditions of inadequate or non-existent energy infrastructure, this is often a symptom of a lack of market oriented institutions or institutional voids. This research clarifies how organizational fields, potentially supportive of new industries, form through local entrepreneurs' efforts at legitimating their start-ups. It proposes that organizational fields can substitute for the institutional voids so that the new firms can develop. Legitimation strategies that foster the supportive organizational fields include endorsements from notable local individuals such as an iconic local entrepreneur or a community leader, and by broader acknowledgement, gained through well recognized non-market partnerships and validation by exporting to wealthy markets.