Psychosocial Drivers in Social Entrepreneurship Ventures: Exploring the Contribution of Personal Traits and Socio‐Psychological Factors

ABSTRACT In an era marked by overlapping and interconnected global crises, the role of individual psychosocial traits in driving social entrepreneurship has gained renewed scholarly attention. This study tested a moderated serial mediation model to examine the relationships between personality traits and individuals’ willingness to pursue social entrepreneurship. A total of 818 participants from Sweden, the US, South Africa, and Israel completed an online survey. We examined a moderated serial mediation model in which entrepreneurial self‐efficacy and concern for societal issues served as sequential mediators, and communal values functioned as a moderator. Drawing on person–environment (P‐E) fit theory, we found that proactive personality enhances entrepreneurial self‐efficacy, particularly among individuals with strong communal values. In turn, self‐efficacy predicted concern for societal issues, which fostered social entrepreneurial intent. These findings advance the understanding of the underlying motivational processes that drive social entrepreneurial intent by illustrating how the alignment between personal agency and communal values cultivates a psychological mindset favorable to social ventures. The serial mediation pathway highlights the significance of self‐efficacy as a cognitive appraisal that not only builds confidence in one's ability to drive change but also promotes a willingness to address social problems. These findings contribute to P‐E fit theory and provide actionable insights for educators and policymakers seeking to foster social innovation through targeted motivational interventions.