The Conceptual Paper on Human Value Optimization in Entrepreneurial Value Creation

Abstract

Entrepreneurship is often seen as a source of innovation, business growth, and value creation. Yet a business does not become humane only because it makes profit, grows fast, or uses advanced technology. Previous studies have discussed this issue through ethical entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship, sustainable entrepreneurship, stakeholder theory, responsible innovation, conviviality, critiques of technosolutionism, humanistic management, the capability approach, and the ethics of care. These theories give important foundations. Still, they do not yet explain in one integrated way how entrepreneurship can create economic, social, technological, and environmental value while protecting human dignity. This conceptual article addresses this gap through theory synthesis. It develops Humanized Entrepreneurship as a framework built on four theoretical layers: the core human layer, the ethical boundary layer, the system and technology critique layer, and the socio-ecological horizon. The synthesis leads to six key dimensions: human dignity, capabilities, social value, stakeholder balance, responsible technology, and sustainability. These dimensions are not separate ideas. They connect through human value optimization. This means that business value creation should fit with human dignity, justice, responsible technology use, and long-term socio-ecological sustainability. The framework also puts Humanized Entrepreneurship inside a stakeholder ecosystem at the micro, meso, and macro levels. Through this, the article adds to entrepreneurship theory. It explains how ventures can still be economically viable while also becoming more humane, fair, responsible, and sustainable.