Entrepreneurial social identities and nascent entrepreneurial behaviour : mediating role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy

Objective: This study seeks to investigate the influence of social identity theory (Darwinian, missionary and communitarian) on nascent entrepreneurial behaviour with the indirect effect of entrepreneurial self-efficacy. Research Design & Method: The authors collected data using self-administered survey from business, engineering and IT department students in order to examine 455 effective responses and verify the research hypothesis. Findings: The findings indicate that (Darwinian, missionary and communitarian) social identities are positively and significantly related to nascent entrepreneurial behaviour. The results also show that entrepreneurial self-efficacy is a key mediator that affects the relationship between social identities and nascent entrepreneurial behaviour. Implication & Recommendation: The findings have important practical and academic implications for practitioners, educationalists to develop entrepreneurial spirit among students to become an entrepreneur. Contribution & Value Added: This study is the first attempt which contributes to the field of social psychology and entrepreneurship by taking the entrepreneurial self-efficacy as a mediator and investigates the influence of social identity theory (Darwinian, missionary, communitarian) on nascent entrepreneurial behaviour among students in Pakistan.