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Download fileFeeling capable and valued: A prosocial perspective on the link between empathy and social entrepreneurial intentions
journal contribution
posted on 2023-08-30, 15:16 authored by Sophie Bacq, Elisa AltEmpathy is a key trait distinguishing social entrepreneurs from traditional entrepreneurs, and an important antecedent of social entrepreneurial (SE) intentions. Yet, little research explains the mechanisms through which empathy motivates SE intentions. We argue that studying the link between the prosocial trait of empathy and the prosocial outcome of SE intentions requires a prosocial lens that traditional entrepreneurial intent theories cannot offer. Building on prosocial motives research, we propose that empathy explains SE intentions through two complementary mechanisms: self-efficacy (an agentic mechanism), and social worth (a communal mechanism). We find support for our hypotheses in a study of 281 university students.
History
Refereed
- Yes
Volume
33Issue number
3Page range
333-350Publication title
Journal of Business VenturingISSN
0883-9026External DOI
Publisher
ElsevierFile version
- Accepted version
Language
- eng