Entrepreneurial social identities and nascent entrepreneurial behaviour: Mediating role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this article is to investigate the influence of entrepreneurial social identities (Darwinian, missionary, and communitarian) on nascent entrepreneurial behaviour with the mediating effect of entrepreneurial self-efficacy. Research Design & Methods: The study is based on a research sample of 455 students from public sector universities of Punjab, Pakistan. The survey questionnaire was developed along with PLS-SEM partial least squares structural equation modelling technique to examine the research model and hypotheses. Findings: The findings indicate that (Darwinian, missionary, and communitarian) social identities are posi-tively and significantly related to nascent entrepreneurial behaviour. The results also show that entrepreneurial self-efficacy is a key mediator that affects the relationship between social identities and nascent entrepreneurial behaviour. Implications & Recommendations: The findings have important practical and academic implications for both universities and policymakers to foster student’s entrepreneurial social identities and develop an entrepreneurial nascent behaviour to become an entrepreneur. Contribution & Value Added: This study is the first attempt that contributes to the field of social psychology and entrepreneurship by taking the entrepreneurial self-efficacy as a mediator and investigates the influence of entrepreneurial social identities (Darwinian, missionary, communitarian) on nascent entrepreneurial behaviour among students in Pakistan.