Relationship between Individual Characteristics and Social Entrepreneurial Intention: Evidence from Bangladesh

Abstract

Taking the theory of planned behavior as a basis, this study investigates the role of individual characteristics on social entrepreneurial intention (SEI). More specifically, this study has examined the impact of risk-taking tendency, locus of control, self-efficacy, empathy, and prior experience on the inclination process to become a social entrepreneur. Using systematic random sampling, data were collected from 336 Bangladeshi university students with an average age of 23. The survey was conducted based on a structured questionnaire consisting of 20 items. Correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis were conducted to test the relationship among variables and check the hypotheses. The results showed significant positive relationships among variables, and self-efficacy, locus of control, risk-taking propensity, prior experience, and empathy significantly influenced students' intention to be future social entrepreneurs. The current study contributes to the social entrepreneurship literature by incorporating risk-taking tendency and locus of control to SEI research and validating previous findings in the Bangladeshi context. The research outcome may facilitate academicians to create a psychological support system for students that can promote social entrepreneurship in Bangladesh.