Green entrepreneurial orientation, competences and sustainability performance of Arabica Gayo coffee farms in Aceh

Abstract

This study examines Arabica coffee farming in Gayo, Aceh, focusing on the roles of green entrepreneurial orientation and green entrepreneurial competence as key antecedents of sustainability performance. These relationships are analyzed both directly and indirectly through two mediating variables: environmentally oriented innovation and farmer organization participation. The study is based on data collected from 305 Arabica coffee farmers in Central Aceh Regency, selected using purposive sampling. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed as the analytical method. The results indicate that green entrepreneurial orientation and green entrepreneurial competence have positive relationships with sustainability performance. These effects become stronger when mediated by green innovation activities and active participation in farmer organizations. The findings also highlight that sustainability in smallholder coffee farming is influenced not only by individual farmer characteristics but also by collective and institutional engagement, as well as the alignment of ecological innovations with production practices. Therefore, fostering an adaptive context for green entrepreneurship that recognizes system-specific characteristics is essential to achieving sustainable Arabica coffee production.