Do “likes” matter? Exploring the roles of slacktivism, networks and environmental commitment in green entrepreneurial intention

Purpose The purpose of this study is to elucidate the underexplored mechanisms by which green slacktivism (visibility-affordance actualization), entrepreneurial networks (association-affordance actualization), and environmental commitment (an intention-stage goal filter) shape green entrepreneurial intention among Indonesian youth within the Technology Affordance–Actualization framework. Design/methodology/approach Cross-sectional survey of 487 Indonesian youth recruited through universities and youth communities. Associations among green slacktivism, environmental commitment, entrepreneurial networks and green entrepreneurial intention were estimated with partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) (SmartPLS 4) using 5,000-sample bootstrapping for confidence intervals. Measurement quality was assessed via heterotrait–monotrait, average variance extracted (AVE) and composite reliability; multicollinearity via full collinearity variance inflation factors; and overall model adequacy via standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) and bootstrap-based discrepancy indices (d_ULS, d_G). Findings Among Indonesian youth, visible online support for environmental causes (green slacktivism) is positively associated with green entrepreneurial intention. Slacktivism also relates to stronger environmental commitment, and commitment in turn relates to higher intention, consistent with TAA’s goal-filter mechanism. Entrepreneurial networks – access to mentors, forums and market information – are likewise positively associated with intention; however, slacktivism does not expand these networks, indicating that visibility does not automatically translate into venture-oriented ties. Taken together, the results show that motivation (slacktivism, commitment) and feasibility (networks) jointly matter, and that deliberate brokerage is needed to channel online engagement into venture-ready connections. Social implications Convert visible online support into assessed micro-tasks and rapid mentor clinics that move youth from digital engagement to first venture steps. Deploy brief commitment screens to prioritize incubation resources and place ready students into sector studios with real sites, data and early customers. Institutionalize brokerage – mentor access, buyer hours and curated green-finance pathways – so motivation becomes networked feasibility and credible early pilots. Originality/value Grounded in TAA, the study separates visibility–affordance actualizations (slacktivism) from association-affordance actualizations (entrepreneurial networks) and positions environmental commitment as an intention-stage goal filter. It identifies a boundary condition: visibility relates to intention and commitment but does not reliably expand networks without deliberate brokerage – offering portable, mechanism-based propositions for youth-digital, policy-attentive contexts.