Effects of digital economy on social entrepreneurship: Evidence from China

Abstract

AbstractSocial entrepreneurship provides novel entrepreneurial solutions for complex social and environmental problems. Research on the antecedents of social entrepreneurship has emphasized the importance of sociocultural and economic factors; however, little is known about the influence of the digital economy in this context. Integrating the digital economy studies and social entrepreneurship studies for the first time, we propose that the development of the digital economy contributes to the growth of regional social enterprises. We further predict that the effect of the digital economy on social entrepreneurship is mediated by the improvement of regional government activism and regional innovation capability. This study contributes to the literature about the antecedents of social entrepreneurship and effect of the digital economy. This study also provides some practical recommendations for promoting digital technology for the good and stimulating social entrepreneurship with the power of the digital economy.