From social work to social enterprise: exploring pathways to youth social entrepreneurial intention

Purpose This study aims to investigate the role of social work experience as an antecedent to empathy, moral obligation, social entrepreneurial self-efficacy (SESE) and a sense of social responsibility. It further examines how these factors, together with perceived social support and perceived access to finance, shape social entrepreneurial intention (SEI) among Malaysian university students engaged in social work activities. Design/methodology/approach Data for this study were collected through a self-administered questionnaire distributed to 395 university students in Malaysia. A total of 395 responses were collected through a self-administered survey and analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling via SmartPLS 4. Findings The results indicate that social work experience serves as an antecedent to empathy, moral obligation, SESE and a sense of social responsibility. In turn, only SESE, perceived social support and perceived access to finance have a positive effect on SEI. Empathy, moral obligation and social responsibility, while important in shaping values, do not directly influence SEI. Among the tested mediators, only SESE plays a significant mediating role. Research limitations/implications The study advances understanding of SEI by highlighting the primacy of self-efficacy and contextual supports over value-based antecedents among Malaysian undergraduates, offering new directions for future cross-context research. Practical implications Findings suggest that initiatives should prioritise skill development, mentorship and resource accessibility to convert social values into actionable entrepreneurial outcomes. Originality/value By modelling social work experience as an antecedent, this study shows that self-efficacy and contextual supports, rather than value-based traits, drive SEI among Malaysian undergraduates, offering a capability-oriented perspective from an emerging economy.