Unleashing the power of organizational social capital: exploring the mediating role of social entrepreneurship orientation in social enterprises' performances

Abstract

PurposeThis study investigates the influence of organizational social capital (OSC) on the social and economic performance of social enterprises (SEs) in Greece and the mediating role of social entrepreneurship orientation (SEO) in these relationships.Design/methodology/approachA theoretical framework was developed integrating resource-based theory, OSC theory and behavioral entrepreneurship theory. The data were collected from 345 Greek SEs and structural equation modeling (SEM) with bootstrap analysis was employed to estimate path coefficients.FindingsThis study shows that OSC positively impacts SEs’ social and economic performance, while SEO mediates only the relationship between OSC and SEs’ social performance. This research offers insights for scholars, practitioners and policymakers in social entrepreneurship by highlighting the significance of OSC and SEO.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature on SEs by integrating resource-based theory, OSC theory and behavioral entrepreneurship theory, presenting a novel comprehensive theoretical framework for understanding SEs’ performances. Additionally, the study advances the understanding of SEO as a mediator in the relationship between OSC and SEs’ social and economic performance. The unique focus on the Greek context provides a valuable setting for examining the relationships among OSC, SEO and SEs’ performances.

Research Dynamics in Social Entrepreneurial Orientation: A Bibliometric Analysis Based on Citations and Publications

“…Future research directions present exciting opportunities for deepening the understanding of SEO (Iskandar et al, , 2022Loukopoulos et al, 2024b). Emerging areas such as ambidextrous leadership and corporate social entrepreneurship represent fertile ground for new studies.…”

“…Social Entrepreneurial Orientation (SEO) integrates entrepreneurial tactics with social objectives, crafting enterprises that strive not merely for profit but for the alleviation of social issues like poverty, healthcare, and environmental sustainability (Kraus et al, 2017;Loukopoulos et al, 2024a;Scheuerle & Schmitz, 2016). This convergence of entrepreneurial vigor and social purpose is increasingly relevant in today's complex socio-economic landscape, drawing significant scholarly and practical attention.…”

“…Additionally, the influence of SEO on organizational performance and sustainability has been explored but with inconsistent results. Studies such as those by (Loukopoulos et al, 2024a) highlight a gap in our understanding of the strategic benefits and practical outcomes of adopting SEO. This gap suggests a need for more comprehensive and analytically robust studies to provide clearer insights into how SEO contributes to social and business outcomes over time (Weerakoon et al, 2020).…”