The influence of causation, entrepreneurial and social orientations on social enterprise performance in the nascent ecology of social enterprise

Purpose This study aims to examine the influences of causation strategy, entrepreneurial orientation and social orientation on the social enterprise’s (SE) financial performance and social achievement. Design/methodology/approach The partial least square structural equational modelling technique was used to analyse survey data collected from Malaysian and Singaporean SEs (n = 96). Findings The findings have important guidance for policymakers, social entrepreneurs and researchers interested in promoting the growth and impact of SEs in emerging regions. Practical implications This study offers several practical implications for social entrepreneurs who want to achieve both financial and social success. Originality/value There is no widely accepted performance framework for SE. Most research in SE is descriptive and conceptual in nature. Larger data sets from the nascent ecology of SE are even scarcer. This study developed and examined a performance framework specifically designed to meet the needs of SEs operating in the emerging region.