The Interplay Between Social Entrepreneurial Knowledge, Prosocial Motivation, Perceived Access to Finance and Social Entrepreneurial Intention

Abstract

Building on insights from human capital and self-determination theories, this study examines the chain mediating effect of prosocial motivation and perceived access to finance in the linkage between social entrepreneurial knowledge and social entrepreneurial intention. Using survey data from 330 university students from Nigeria, the findings show that social entrepreneurial knowledge is positively linked with social entrepreneurial intention, and that prosocial motivation mediates this relationship. Perceived access to finance also positively intervened in the link between social entrepreneurial knowledge and social entrepreneurial intention. Finally, prosocial motivation and perceived access to finance had a significant serial mediating effect on the influence of social entrepreneurial knowledge on social entrepreneurial intention of university students. The study concludes with academic and practical implications for educators and policymakers in under-researched Sub-Saharan African contexts like Nigeria.