Entrepreneurial intention for social cause: role of moral obligation, contextual support and barriers

Social entrepreneurs are the individuals who conceptualise the business idea through their commitment to serve the society for a specific cause. Venturing into a business, whether social or profit-oriented is primarily planned in nature and intentions are assumed to be a better predictor of planned behaviours. Thus, the present study attempts to analyse the significant factors affecting Indian student's intention towards social business venturing. A total of 314 college students of management and engineering courses of different educational institutes (colleges and universities) in North India were surveyed and data were analysed using structural equation modelling in Amos 22.0. Results indicated that perceived desirability was influenced by societal moral obligations and perceived contextual support, whereas perceived feasibility was affected by social support, contextual support and contextual barriers. Finally, perceived feasibility and perceived desirability emerged as significant determinants of social entrepreneurial intention. Societal moral obligation and social support were having no influence on intentions. The study produces some meaningful theoretical and practical implications for various stakeholders, including the government, academicians and NGOs working for enhancing the spirit of social welfare among the students.