Role of Religiosity and Subjective Norms in Forming Social Entrepreneurial Intention: Evidence from India

This study investigates the differential impact of intrinsic and extrinsic religiosity on an individual’s intention to start a social enterprise through subjective norms. Even though entrepreneurs have started exploring the role of religion in starting a social enterprise, research has yet to examine how different religious motivational dimensions — intrinsic and extrinsic religiosity — might influence one’s social entrepreneurial intention. Using structural equation modelling on a valid sample of 210 respondents from India, results show that extrinsic religiosity positively influences social entrepreneurial intention via subjective norms. However, intrinsic or extrinsic religiosity does not directly influence social entrepreneurial intention. Our model indicates that individuals’ intention to start a social enterprise partly depends on their extrinsic religiosity and subjective norms. Our findings present interesting theoretical implications for social entrepreneurship literature and practical implications for organizations that seek to promote entrepreneurship.