Drivers of Social Entrepreneurial Intention: Evidence from a Malaysian Higher Education Context

Abstract

Social entrepreneurship has gained increasing prominence in addressing complex societal challenges through innovative, sustainable solutions. However, in Malaysia, the development of the social entrepreneurship sector remains limited, particularly among university students who are often viewed as potential agents of social change. This study examines the psychological and social factors that influence students’ intention to engage in social entrepreneurship, focusing on four key antecedents: empathy, moral obligation, self-efficacy, and social support. Grounded in the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and the Entrepreneurial Event Model (EEM), the research employs a quantitative approach using a structured questionnaire distributed among Malaysian university students. Data were collected from 193 respondents and analysed using SPSS, applying correlation and regression techniques to test the proposed relationships. The findings demonstrate that all four constructs significantly influence Social Entrepreneurial Intention (SEI), with self-efficacy emerging as the most prominent predictor. The study contributes theoretically by validating an integrated cognitive–affective model of SEI and expanding its applicability within the context of Malaysian higher education. Practically, the results provide valuable insights for educators, institutional leaders, and policymakers to design targeted interventions that enhance students’ readiness to pursue social entrepreneurship. By identifying key motivational drivers, this study supports efforts to cultivate a new generation of socially conscious entrepreneurs equipped to drive inclusive and sustainable development.