Instilling Social Entrepreneurial Mindset through Transformative Learning

Abstract

The governmental interventions and the corporate-led development have not adequately addressed the wicked problems that the world faces today. Though social enterprises have demonstrated their ability to solve these complex problems, their role and size in the overall scheme of things are too small. This calls for developing a social entrepreneurial mindset (hereafter, SEM) in traditional professionals. However, the problem is the lack of a well-defined construct for SEM. Building upon Transformative Learning Theory, this paper is a maiden attempt to establish and define the SEM as a multidimensional construct. A qualitative essay-based exploratory study, employing grounded theory approach was conducted on management graduates undergoing ‘Sustainability in Practice’ (an experiential project) compulsory course. The findings and analysis identify three main constituents of SEM, viz. prosocial orientation (compassion), entrepreneurial mindset (promotion focus, optimism, self-efficacy, proactiveness, and lowrisk aversion in uncertain conditions) and systemic change orientation. The paper makes a theoretical contribution to the existing literature by proposing a comprehensive SEM framework as an overlap of prosocial orientation, entrepreneurial mindset, systemic change orientation dimensions. This framework can be of great value to both academicians for designing empirical studies to establish the causality as well as for practitioners for developing the best practices.