Doing well by doing good: The role of entrepreneurial mindfulness, social capital, and moral obligation in social entrepreneurial intentions

This study examines the mediating role of entrepreneurial social capital on the relationship between entrepreneurial mindfulness and entrepreneurial intentions, and how moral obligation enhances the indirect effect of mindfulness on such intentions through social capital. We draw on the notions of prosocial behavior and social capital to test our assertions with PLS-SEM. Our findings suggest that entrepreneurial social capital complements the relationship between entrepreneurial mindfulness and social entrepreneurial intentions and that moral obligation substantially enhances their indirect effect. The study addresses the gap related to how entrepreneurial mindfulness, social capital and moral obligation in promoting Social Entrepreneurial Intentions (SEIs). The constructs and their relationship were analyzed through an online survey filled by MBA graduates of national-level B-school with most of the students of second year having prior work experience; 293 respondents in two phases with a gap of two weeks in academic year 2024-25. We contribute to the theory and practice of entrepreneurship by highlighting the role of mindfulness and moral obligation as key humanistic and prosocial motives that influence social entrepreneurial intentions, while positing entrepreneurial social capital as the conduit through which the influence of mindfulness and moral obligation flows. We contribute to the literature on social entrepreneurship, prosocial behavior, and entrepreneurial social capital.