Social Enterprise Intention of Non-STEM University Students: Experimental Evidence

Abstract

The concept of social enterprise is an imperative facet of modern entrepreneurship that emphasizes the potential for businesses to generate profits while promoting societal well-being. However, this dual objective presents a significant challenge for entrepreneurs as it demands a strong commitment to social responsibility. Our study aimed to investigate the emerging trend of anti-social decisions made by young people in response to complex socio-economic constraints. The inquiry involved a series of classroom experiment conducted on 240 undergraduates in a hypothetical environment. The experiments presented the participants with opportunities to make prosocial or anti-social decisions regarding their occupational choices under four different socio-economic conditions and also in a structured coordination game. The results suggest that prospective employees may be more likely to make choices that benefit themselves, rather than others, when faced with difficult social and economic situations. However, those who opt to be self-employed expressed the highest prosocial motivation, indicating a strong desire to contribute to society. It is important to take these findings into account when creating educational policies and adjusting economic policies, such as tax policies. We need to encourage and educate young people in Sri Lanka to develop and express their desire to create positive social change, by promoting pro-social values and behaviors.