Entrepreneurs’ individual-level resources and social value creation goals: the moderating role of cultural context

Purpose—This study seeks to provide a better understanding of how the interplay of individual-level resources and culture affects entrepreneurs’ propensity to adopt social value creation goals. Design/methodology/approach—Using a sample of 12,685 entrepreneurs in 35 countries from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, this study investigates the main effects of individual-level resources—measured as financial, human, and social capital—on social value creation goals, as well as the moderating effects of the cultural context in which the respective entrepreneur is embedded, on the relationship between individual-level resources and social value creation goals. Findings—Drawing on the resource-based perspective and Hofstede’s cultural values framework, the results offer empirical evidence that individual-level resources are relevant for predicting the extent to which entrepreneurs emphasise social goals for their business. Furthermore, culture influences the way entrepreneurs allocate their resources toward social value creation. Originality/value—The study sheds new light on how entrepreneurs’ individual resources influence their willingness to create social value. Moreover, by focusing on the role of culture in the relationship between individual-level resources and social value creation goals, it contributes to social entrepreneurship literature, which has devoted little attention to the interplay of individual characteristics and culture.