INFLUENCE OF BUSINESS NETWORKING AND BUSINESS INFORMATION ON SOCIAL PERFORMANCE OF SOCIAL ENTERPRISES: THE MODERATING ROLE OF ACCESS TO FINANCE

Social enterprise is a business that makes a profit for its survival along with doing good for society and the community. Taking into consideration the radical view of the RBV theory and signalling theory, the purpose of this study is to examine the influence of business networking, business information and access to finance on the social performance of social enterprises in Pakistan. Primary data collection was done by distributing questionnaires through electronic mediums to owners and directors of social enterprises throughout Pakistan and 384 feedback is received. Data were analysed using Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling. This study found positive and significant influence of business information, and access to finance on social performance of social enterprises in Pakistan. Moreover, business networking also has a positive and significant influence on social performance. Access to finance positively moderates the relationship between business networking and social performance, while it has a negative impact on business information and social performance. Therefore, the study recommends that social enterprises in Pakistan should emphasise business networking, business information and access to finance to sustain their SE performance. This study assists owners/managers, government officials, regulatory authorities, and policymakers regarding the significance of business information, business networking and access to finance towards the social performance of social enterprise in Pakistan.