Identifying social entrepreneurial intent among students in South African universities
Date
2016
Authors
Wilton, Catherine
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Abstract
Social entrepreneurship is considered to be a practical way of solving global
social challenges. Social entrepreneurs are considered to be change agents
with a purpose of making a difference to those in need. Therefore, developing
social entrepreneurship and potential social entrepreneurs should be
encouraged and celebrated. This study aims to identify potential entrepreneurs
in South Africa, by examining the intentions of students at universities in South
Africa with regard to establishing a social venture. Empirical evidence suggests
that motivational factors influencing behaviour can be summarised as
intentions. Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behaviour (1991) suggests that intentions
are a prerequisite for entrepreneurial behaviour. This study presents an
integrated model drawing on existing social intention-based models by Mair and
Noboa (2003) and Ayob et al. (2013). The study seeks to establish the
significance of relationships between antecedents (empathy, exposure and selfefficacy)
and perceived feasibility and desirability and their influence on social
entrepreneurial intentions.
In order to analyse the hypothesised relationships in the proposed model,
Structural Equation Modelling was conducted, based on 171 respondents. The
findings of the study indicate that only empathy and exposure as antecedents to
perceived feasibility had positive and significant relationships. The relationships
between the antecedents of empathy, exposure and self-perceived desirability
were insignificant. Surprisingly, the relationship between self-efficacy and
perceived feasibility in this study was non-significant.
Social entrepreneurship has the potential to solve the challenging social
problems currently facing South Africa. Because of this, a study to determine
the elements that motivate Social Entrepreneurship Intentions is invaluable. The
study should provide some guidance in promoting and encouraging
entrepreneurship through various interventions (Malebana, 2014).
Description
A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and
Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the
requirements for the degree of Master of Management specialising in
Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation
Johannesburg, 2016
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Citation
Wilton, Catherine (2016) Identifying social entrepreneurial intent among students in South African universities, University of the Witwatersrand <http://wiredspace.wits.ac.za/handle/10539/21501>