Informal Institutional Embeddedness and Performance of Social Enterprises: A Moderated Mediating Effect Model

Abstract

Abstract: Based on institutional theory, this paper constructs a conditional process effect model with social enterprises as the research object, aiming at exploring the internal mechanism and boundary conditions of informal institutional embeddedness affecting their performance. The results of analyzing the survey data of 169 social enterprises show that informal institutional embeddedness helps to enhance the social and economic performance of social enterprises, and dual identity plays a mediating role between informal institutional embeddedness and social enterprise performance. Further analysis shows that hybrid work experience of founders negatively moderates the relationship between informal institutional embeddedness and dual identity, while the completeness of organizational governance structure positively moderates the relationship. These two moderators also negatively and positively moderate the mediating role of dual identity between informal institutional embeddedness and social enterprise performance, respectively. The findings of this paper provide a theoretical basis and practical guidance for social enterprises to consciously shape and utilize the institutional environment in which they are embedded in order to explore the best institutional paradigm.

Key words: social enterprise, informal institutional embeddedness, social enterprise performance, dual identity

Xu Liping, Qi Chengshuang, Chen Yongchang, Liu Zhiyang. Informal Institutional Embeddedness and Performance of Social Enterprises: A Moderated Mediating Effect Model[J]. Management Review, 2026, 38(6): 188-201.

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