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Entrepreneurs’ Personality Traits and Social Enterprise: A Legitimation Perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Xiao Yingzhao

    (Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P.R. China)

  • Liu Zhen

    (Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong, P.R. China)

  • Ahlstrom David

    (Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Hong Kong, China)

  • Bai Yanzhuang

    (Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P.R. China)

Abstract

Prosocial personality traits are thought to be essential characteristics of social entrepreneurs. However, extant research has typically focused on how personality traits affect individuals to simply engage in social entrepreneurship but not on the actual prosocial behavior they employ or the eventual outcomes. We posit that studying the link between personality traits and organizational legitimacy, a salient outcome for social enterprise development, is a fruitful avenue for research. Building on the legitimation perspective, we examine the underlying mechanisms and contextual conditions in the relationship between personality traits (agreeableness specifically) and social enterprise legitimacy. Empirical analysis of 230 social enterprises in China demonstrates that a social enterprise’s legitimation strategy via network centrality and the contingent role of the focal venture’s development stage importantly conditions the effectiveness of the social entrepreneurs’ personality traits and their impact on social enterprise legitimacy. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiao Yingzhao & Liu Zhen & Ahlstrom David & Bai Yanzhuang, 2024. "Entrepreneurs’ Personality Traits and Social Enterprise: A Legitimation Perspective," Entrepreneurship Research Journal, De Gruyter, vol. 14(3), pages 1133-1159.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:erjour:v:14:y:2024:i:3:p:1133-1159:n:1019
    DOI: 10.1515/erj-2022-0216
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