David Urbano, Claudia Alvarez, Tatiana Lopez
Purpose This study aims to analyse the institutional dimensions that influence social entrepreneurship, focusing on the interactions between the country and individual levels. Specifically, the paper investigates the moderating effect of the regulative dimension on the relationships among the cultural-cognitive and normative dimensions and social entrepreneurship. Design/methodology/approach The study employs a multilevel logistic regression approach, utilising data from the Global University Entrepreneurial Spirit Students' Survey (GUESSS) 2018 and the World Bank. The dataset includes information from 53 countries and 165,679 individuals, enabling a comprehensive multilevel analysis. Findings The results highlight the moderating role of the regulative dimension in shaping the relationships between the cultural-cognitive and normative dimensions and social entrepreneurship. Notably, a supportive regulatory environment encourages general entrepreneurial activity yet can deprioritise social entrepreneurship. Similarly, normative support for entrepreneurship negatively impacts social entrepreneurship. Practical implications Policymakers should focus on providing more comprehensive support to social entrepreneurs, streamlining processes and facilitating a favourable regulatory environment. Additionally, local opinion leaders and influential stakeholders can play a crucial role in legitimising social entrepreneurs' activities by aligning them with community values and norms. Originality/value This paper is among the few that adopt a multilevel perspective on institutional factors in social entrepreneurship, addressing both the country and individual levels. Exploring the interaction effects across these dimensions emphasises the need for a specific approach to supporting social entrepreneurs – one that combines regulatory reforms with cultural and community-based support, reflecting the complex interplay between individuals and their contexts in shaping social entrepreneurship.