Predictors of social entrepreneurial intention: an empirical study

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the role of cognitive styles (CgStys) and self-efficacy (SEff) in the formation of social entrepreneurial intentions (SEIs) among the students of a premier multi-campus technical university in India using the theory of planned behaviour as the research framework. Design/methodology/approach A 54-item questionnaire was responded by 550 students. The data were collected by employing a systematic random sampling method. In the total sample of the respondents, 67 per cent (n=368) were male and 33 per cent (n=182) were female and the average age of the respondents was 20 years. Structural equation modelling has been used for data analysis. Findings The results of the study support that the relationship between antecedents (CgStys and SEff) and SEIs was mediated by the attitude towards becoming a social entrepreneur, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control. Findings of this research study also suggest that students with high level of SEff are more inclined towards social entrepreneurial activities. Research limitations/implications The study was confined to the students from a technical university, and it may not give the generalized findings for students from the non-technical stream. Practical implications The finding of this research study will facilitate policy makers and educators for promoting social entrepreneurial activities at the university level. Based on the results and findings of the study, the educators may improve upon the support system to help and motivate students to opt social entrepreneurship as their career choice. Originality/value This is one of its kinds of research conducted in the Indian context. Findings of this research will be helpful in predicting how the intention process of Indian students is affected by their CgStys and SEff.

Determinants of Entrepreneurial Intention in Perspective of Theory of Planned Behaviour

“…Second determinant of the EI is PBC. The causal relation between of PBC and EI has also been found significant by previous studies such as Tiwari, Bhat, & Tikoria (2017). However, some studies such as Shah and Soomro (2017) reported this proposition (effect of PBC on EI) statistically non-significant.…”

“…Isiwu & Onwuka (2017) found that selfefficacy is a positive and significant predictor of AE and EI. The effect of SI on EI was also reported to be statistically significant by Ibrahima & Mas'udb (2016);Farrukh, et al (2017) and Tiwari, Bhat, & Tikoria (2017). Tiwari, Bhat, & Tikoria (2017) revealed that self-efficacy is a significant predictor of PBC and SN too.…”

“…First determinant of the EI is the AE. The effect of AE on EI has been reported to be positive and significant by studies such as Shah and Soomro (2017) and Tiwari, Bhat, & Tikoria (2017). Second determinant of the EI is PBC.…”

“…Third determinant of the EI is subjective norms. Literature (Shah, 2017;Tiwari, 2017) provides considerable support for the causal effect of subjective norms on EI However, opposing results have also been reported by studies such as Passaro, Quinto & Thomas (2018). In recent years, several studies have attempted to extend the model in a bid to improve our understanding about the antecedents of EI.…”

Editorial

“…Supporting this view, our first paper, "Predictors of social entrepreneurial intention: an empirical study" has explained the influence of cognitive styles and self-efficacy that encourage entrepreneurial intention. Because of the recent economic crisis and global recession, there is a social need to create value by utilizing resources in more innovative ways, naturally making way for emergence of new businesses (Tiwari et al, 2017). In order to start new businesses to jumpstart the economies, there is a need for both domestic and foreign resources.…”