The impact of entrepreneurial training programs on the entrepreneurial intentions learning satisfaction and learning efficacy of social entrepreneurs

In this paper we measure the effect of the Twente Move2Social entrepreneurship training program for social entrepreneurs. Social entrepreneurship is the entrepreneurial activity that addresses societal pains and enhances social wealth (Lepoutre, Justo, Terjesen, & Bosma, 2013; Zahra, Gedajlovic, Neubaum, & Shulman, 2009). These types of activities, organizations, or initiatives are focused on creating social impact or social value and become more common in Europe. However, within Europe there is still a big difference between countries with regard to the recognition of social entrepreneurship (Defourny & Nyssens, 2008). In the Netherlands, the social entrepreneurship trend started later and weaker in comparison to other countries, such as the United States and the United Kingdom (During, van der Jagt, & de Sena, 2014; Verloop, 2011). Nevertheless the Netherlands is catching up by deploying several initiatives to stimulate social entrepreneurship. Social entrepreneurship training programs are becoming more commonplace, such initiatives aim to enable social entrepreneurs and their social enterprises. Many social entrepreneurship competitions, accelerators and incubators were started (Keizer, Stikkers, Heijmans, Carsouw, & van Aanholt, 2016). However, little is known about the effect of these training programs on the entrepreneurial intentions, learning satisfaction and learning efficacy of (latent) social entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurial intentions research is in need for longitudinal data that included would-be entrepreneurs or nascent entrepreneurs (Fayolle and Liñán, 2014, Kessler and Frank, 2009). This research contributes to this request by not using students and measuring the effect of the training program on the entrepreneurial intentions over time. Likewise, research that examines entrepreneurial intent in relation to social entrepreneurship is also an upcoming research area, which needs further attention. In addition, this paper sets out to research lead user based social entrepreneurship. Personal unmet needs are an important trigger for opportunity recognition. We already know that human capital and prior experience (industry, entrepreneurial) influence the startup process as its success (Dimov, 2010 Companys and McMullen, 2007). Likewise Baron (2006) shows that prior private experience can be a source for opportunity recognition. Therefore studying lead users innovation characteristics is interesting because they start developing solutions for their unmet need, which may constitute a good basis for further opportunity development. Studying lead user based social entrepreneurship can provide insights into how individuals develop innovative solutions to overcome their personal unmet needs. And as a consequence create social value or have social impact on a broader scale.