An examination of certain antecedents of social entrepreneurial intentions among Mexico residents.
| Autor | Cavazos-Arroyo, Judith |
| Cargo | Texto en ingles - Ensayo |
1 Introduction
Research on entrepreneurship intentions has increased dramatically over recent years. One literature review identified more than 400 publications on the role of intentions in the entrepreneurial process (Linan & Fayolle, 2015). Yet even though it is a widely researched topic, there are still gaps that empirical research should address. First, empirical literature focuses mainly on general entrepreneurship as opposed to more specific types such as social entrepreneurship intentions (Linan & Fayolle, 2015). Second, while the examination of specific subsamples has emerged, scant attention has been given to the social entrepreneurship intentions of individuals with low socio-economic status (Linan & Fayolle, 2015). Socio-economic status might be a proxy of a social context likely to influence the social entrepreneurial process (Fayolle & Linan, 2014). Third, while we have learned a lot about the role of intentions in the entrepreneurial process, we know less about the role of values as possible antecedents of an entrepreneurial attitude within the theoretical framework of intentions (Fayolle, Linan, & Moriano, 2014). This represents a significant shortcoming given that attitudes are strong predictors of intentions (Ajzen, 1991). Hence, the purpose of our investigation is threefold. First, we assess the role of sustainable and social values as precursors of social innovation orientation, while taking into account interests as to financial returns. Second, we examine the role of social innovation orientation as an antecedent of a social entrepreneurship attitude. Third, we examine how attitude, subjective norms, and entrepreneurship self-efficacy influence intentions of beginning a social entrepreneurship venture among Mexico residents with a low socio-economic status. In order to accomplish our research goals, we first discuss the nature of social entrepreneurship and its connection to the context of our investigation, followed by a discussion about the importance of values as antecedents to the development of social innovation orientation. We then examine the role social innovation orientation plays within the framework of the theory of planned behavior, by suggesting that its influence is exerted through a social entrepreneurship attitude. Last, we briefly review how social entrepreneurship attitude, subjective norms, and entrepreneurial self-efficacy serve as antecedents to the intention of engaging in a social venture in the future.
1.1 The nature of social entrepreneurship
Although there is no consensus about the definition of social entrepreneurship (Trexler, 2008), a common element among the various existing definitions is the search for solutions to social problems. Hence, social entrepreneurs identify business opportunities in social problems that require solutions. The examination of social entrepreneurship has increased significantly over recent years (Svensson, 2014) as an alternative to alleviate many existing social problems. We adopt a broad definition that includes individuals or organizations involved in entrepreneurial activities to solve economic, social or/and environmental problems (Germak & Singh, 2010; Short, Moss, & Lumpkin, 2009; Zahra, Gedajlovic, Neubaum, & Shulman, 2009). Essentially, social entrepreneurship is a benevolent attitude towards sharing with others (Guzman & Trujillo, 2008), highlighting the prevalence of a social mission, innovation and the role of an earned income (Lepoutre, Justo, Terjesen, & Bosma, 2013).
Nicholls and Cho (2006) propose three key elements to constructing a social enterprise: socializing through social and environmental approaches, innovation and market orientation, especially when operating in commercial markets under the expectation of generating profits through the differentiation of social values. Traditionally, social entrepreneurs develop products and services that make basic, still unfulfilled human needs a priority. They strive towards promoting social change and enhancing the social status of customers (Lepoutre et ah, 2013).
Even though social entrepreneurial efforts are relevant for most countries, they are particularly relevant for developing countries such as Mexico, for several reasons: 1) More than half of its population is poor (Sigma, 2013); 2) People do not have access to fundamental services due to limited government social programs and philanthropy efforts (Chivas, 2014); 3) Whereas self-employment and employment in the informal economy represent alternatives to obtain income, especially among the poor, these jobs tend to offer low wages and no benefits to employees (Velazquez Torres, & Dominguez Aguirre, 2015). Thus, social entrepreneurship has emerged as a legitimate solution to address some of these urgent social needs (Chivas, 2014).
One theoretical proposition suggests that social entrepreneurs should have particular personal attributes that reflect a determination to change society as a whole (Seelos & Mair, 2005). Hence, one recommendation is to put more emphasis on the examination of values in entrepreneurial intention (Fayolle et al., 2014), and the development of models that increase our knowledge of this topic (Linan, Santos, & Fernandez, 2011). For example, recent studies (Sastre-Castillo, Peris-Ortiz, & Danvila-Del Valle, 2015) have found that values influence social entrepreneurial orientation. However, one research suggestion is to examine values in relation to the theory of planned behavior to increase our understanding of the formation of attitudes and how intentions are influenced. Similarly, another research suggestion is that more research is needed to understand how to implement innovative solutions and transform the lives of those at the base of the pyramid (Goyal, Sergi, & Jaiswal, 2016), especially in developing countries.
1.2 Values as antecedents of social innovation orientation
From a motivational perspective, values are important since they influence the type of goals individuals decide to pursue (Roberts & Robins, 2000; Schwartz, 1992). In order to understand social entrepreneurship intentions, we need to identify the type of values that define and energize social entrepreneurship (Fayolle et ah, 2014). Social entrepreneurs differ from commercial entrepreneurs in that they not only seek financial benefits but also strive for social benefits (Nga & Shamuganathan, 2010). Hence, one model suggests that, in addition to interest in financial returns, social entrepreneurs are characterized by having a social vision and valuing sustainability, two values that energize motivation for innovating in order to satisfy basic human needs (Nga & Shamuganathan, 2010).
Social vision is a value reflecting a deep concern for offering fundamental services to deprived sectors of society. Hence, entrepreneurship efforts try not only to obtain a financial return but also focus on satisfying a basic human need that has been, to some extent, neglected by society. Social motives have become an important research issue (Boluk & Mottiar, 2014), because it is through particular social values that social entrepreneurs identify, evaluate, and exploit opportunities that are transformed into social innovations, creating social wealth (Zahra et ah, 2009). Social entrepreneurs get involved in activities with a social mission because they feel responsible for caring for certain issues or people (Andre & Pache, 2016). The achievement of a social mission requires the development of values, capabilities, and skills that lead to innovative solutions to complex social problems (Pearce & Doh, 2005).
Social vision involves a sense of destiny, by finding practical solutions to complex social problems despite limitations to innovate (Nga & Shamuganathan, 2010). It implies an explicit and central social mission, how entrepreneurs perceive and consider opportunities to produce a positive impact (Dees, 1998), the commitment to design products and services with social value for the community, developing partnerships and interacting through social networks and co-creating value with customers (Sridharan & Viswanathan, 2008). Social entrepreneurs aspire to be agents of social change (Sundar, 1996). They have a vision and are motivated to accomplish it through a process of continuous innovation rather than replicate existing practices or enterprises (Urban, 2010).
Hence, our first proposition is that social vision should guide individuals to seek opportunities to innovate in order to solve social problems. That is, social vision should increase individuals' tendency towards social innovation orientation. Social innovation orientation implies the desire to be an agent of social change who creates new solutions to social problems through capabilities, products, services, processes and/or technology with social value and the possibility to develop social collaborations (Altuna et al., 2015; Nga & Shamuganathan, 2010). Thus, social innovation orientation is an essential characteristic of social entrepreneurship, because it involves the conceptualization, creation, and development of strategies to encourage social change. Thus, we propose the following hypothesis:
H1: Social vision would have a positive effect on social innovation orientation.
While social vision represents an important value, we suggest that a concern for sustainability might also be important. Sustainability is a value characterized by a genuine understanding and acknowledgement that individuals and business practices exist as a part of a global ecosystem and that entrepreneurship efforts have to consider the environment as an additional stakeholder (Nga & Shamuganathan, 2010). Sustainable values are capable of guiding individuals to enact behaviors perceived as supportive of sustainability goals. They play a critical role in building a vision to develop social structures and institutions, learn, and adapt to new knowledge and generate actions in complex...
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