The Effect of Experiential Social Entrepreneurship Education on Intention Formation in Students

Abstract This paper posits that social entrepreneurship education can increase the propensity of students to launch social enterprises through a process of experiential learning in which students co-create shared communities of practice. Data from 175 participants in Master level elective courses indicates that participation in social entrepreneurship courses increases self-efficacy, perceived social support and social entrepreneurial intentions. No statistically significant effects were found for empathy or moral obligation. In addition, drawing on a sample of 265 participants in a massive open online course, it was demonstrated that the more students engage in experiential learning activities, the larger the observed effects.