Impact of Social Entrepreneurship on Digital Technology and Students’ Skill Set in Higher Education Institutions: A Structured Equation Model

Abstract

This research paper investigates the impact of social entrepreneurial initiatives implemented by Colleges and Universities on the utilization of digital technology, examining how this utilization, in turn, affects the learning process and the development of students' skill sets. It emphasises the pivotal role of such initiatives in higher education institutions. Various societies and cells have been established within universities, providing students with opportunities for community engagement and social service. The study highlights how integrating social entrepreneurial initiatives and digital technology in higher education institutions impacts the student’s skill development. The research collects data from students affiliated with these societies through a structured questionnaire encompassing inquiries related to social entrepreneurship, digital technology usage, skill development, and their influence on students’ assimilative capacity impacting higher education institutions. Responses from 203 university students from Delhi NCR, India, participating in these cells are analysed using structural equation modelling using AMOS Graphics. The findings indicate that students actively engaged in social entrepreneurial initiatives demonstrate an increased reliance on digital technology in multifaceted ways while fulfilling their responsibilities within the respective cells. This heightened use of digital technology contributes to the enhancement of students' skill sets, fostering a greater sense of social responsibility and ultimately facilitating improved academic performance. Further, the experiential knowledge and skills acquired through these initiatives empower students to excel based on their practical experiences, thereby advancing higher education institutions as a whole.