Influence of environment on social entrepreneurship intention: an empirical study related to Tunisia

Abstract

Social entrepreneurship has emerged recently as one of the best solutions that reduce social, economic and environmental problems. In this study, we focus on investigating the impact of environmental factors on the formation of social entrepreneurial intention using the partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). To this end, a statistical analysis was done using 305 Tunisians who pursue incubation programs. Results show that the favourable environmental factors positively influence the social entrepreneurial intention. While, unfavourable environmental factors, such as poor infrastructure, financial constraints, inadequate form of accompaniment, lack of education and entrepreneurial training, and cumbersome administrative procedures, negatively influence social entrepreneurial intention. Hence, the state, incubators and financial institutions should intervene by acting on these factors in order to stimulate social entrepreneurship.