Drivers of Student Social Entrepreneurial Intention Amid the Economic Crisis in Lebanon: A Mediation Model

Abstract

Entrepreneurship, once a choice, has now evolved into a critical lifeline for the youth in Lebanon amid a prolonged and extensive economic crisis, now entering its fourth year. This crisis has triggered a shift in the mindset of Lebanese youth, driven by the high unemployment rate, acting as a catalyst for a transition towards entrepreneurship as a viable career choice. This study underscores the necessity of comprehending the determinants shaping social entrepreneurial intentions among Lebanese students. The goal is to identify these determinants, allowing for the implementation of necessary measures to not only enhance these intentions but also facilitate their transformation into tangible actions, thereby propelling economic growth and fostering sustainable development. The research investigates the intricate interplay of entrepreneurial education, entrepreneurial passion, and moral obligation, with entrepreneurial self-efficacy serving as a mediating factor. Conducting a survey among 265 participants from four universities in Lebanon using convenience sampling, this research employs Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) for analysis. The results reveal that entrepreneurial education and entrepreneurial passion significantly boost students’ belief in their entrepreneurial self-efficacy. Simultaneously, entrepreneurial self-efficacy intensifies students’ entrepreneurial intention. Furthermore, a positive correlation is observed between moral obligation and social entrepreneurial intention. These findings hold significant implications for educators and policymakers, offering insights to guide initiatives aimed at enhancing entrepreneurial education and fostering an environment conducive to socially impactful ventures, in light of the economic and political crisis that Lebanon is currently facing. Likewise, researchers can gain insights from the theoretical foundations of the present study and discover possible pathways for future analyses. Moreover, integrating sustainability principles into entrepreneurial education could further amplify the social and economic impact of ventures in Lebanon’s challenging context.