Social entrepreneurial opportunity recognition among higher education students: scale development and validation
ISSN: 1750-8614
Article publication date: 23 February 2024
Issue publication date: 25 April 2024
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to develop and validate a multidimensional scale to measure the motivating factors that lead to opportunity recognition in social entrepreneurship among higher education institute (HEI) students.
Design/methodology/approach
The scale was developed through two phases; in phase 1, semi-structured interviews with social entrepreneurs and aspiring students were conducted to explore themes for item generation. Phase 2 included developing and validating the scale using exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The sample included HEI students (n = 300 for EFA, n = 300 for CFA) with either academic background or volunteering experiences in social entrepreneurship.
Findings
A 24-item scale is developed in the study, with six factors measuring the motivating factors influencing opportunity recognition in social entrepreneurship: life experiences, social awareness, social inclination, community development, institutional voids and natural option for a meaningful career.
Research limitations/implications
The scale facilitates the development of theories and models in social entrepreneurship. The scale also enables policymakers and social entrepreneurship educators to understand the motivating factors that lead to opportunity recognition among students. It would help them to provide target-specific support to students.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first attempt to develop a scale that measures opportunity recognition in social entrepreneurship based on specific motivating factors. The study used the model by Yitshaki and Kropp (2016) as the conceptual framework. This study is the first attempt to triangulate the model’s findings using a quantitative methodology and through the development of a measurement scale. Besides, the scale adds value to social entrepreneurship research, which lacks empirical research on HEI students.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Declaration of conflict of interests: The authors confirm that there is no conflict of interest for this study.
Funding: This study has not received any external funding.
Since submission of this article, the following author has updated his affiliation: Sadananda Reddy Annapally is Assistant Professor at the Jindal School of Psychology and Counselling, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, India.
Citation
Viswanath, P., Annapally, S.R. and Kumar, A. (2024), "Social entrepreneurial opportunity recognition among higher education students: scale development and validation", Social Enterprise Journal, Vol. 20 No. 3, pp. 339-363. https://doi.org/10.1108/SEJ-04-2023-0051
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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