The Role of Spiritual Role Models in Shaping Social Entrepreneurial Intention: A Cross-Country Analysis

Building upon the theory of spiritual modelling and embracing insights from the social cognitive and situated expectancy-value theories, this study proposes that spiritual role models affect social entrepreneurial intention (SEI) directly and indirectly through risk-taking ability, spiritual motivation toward social good and attitudes toward social sustainability. The hypothesised mediation model was tested using 507 surveys from Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh using structural equation modelling. Results support the mediation model, and the findings establish and support the relevance of spiritual modelling theory in SEI by identifying several empirical links between spiritual role models and behavioural intention.