IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i13p5969-d1690199.html

Impact of University Social Responsibility on Strengthening Sustainable Rural Women’s Entrepreneurship: Multigroup Analysis Based on the SEM

Author

Listed:
  • Mabel Ysabel Otiniano León

    (Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias y Tecnología, Universidad César Vallejo, Campus Chepén, Trujillo 13001, Peru)

  • Marco Agustín Arbulú Ballesteros

    (Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias y Tecnología, Universidad César Vallejo, Campus Chepén, Trujillo 13001, Peru)

  • Emma Verónica Ramos Farroñán

    (Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias y Tecnología, Universidad César Vallejo, Campus Chepén, Trujillo 13001, Peru)

  • Ana Elizabeth Paredes Morales

    (Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias y Tecnología, Universidad César Vallejo, Campus Chepén, Trujillo 13001, Peru)

Abstract

The empowerment of rural women through sustainable entrepreneurship is pivotal for fostering economic development and social transformation in developing communities. This study examines the impact of university social responsibility (USR) programs on strengthening sustainable entrepreneurship among rural women, emphasizing the mediating role of economic empowerment. Utilizing a structural equation model (SEM), we explore causal pathways between USR interventions, entrepreneurial capacities, and the sustainability of rural businesses. Key dimensions analyzed include economic resources, social networks, and psychological self-efficacy, as well as their interrelation with community development. The findings demonstrate that multidimensional USR programs integrating technical training, social support, and economic resources significantly enhance entrepreneurial resilience and value chain integration. Notably, the analysis reveals that economic empowerment mediates the relationship between USR programs and business sustainability, with improvements in community participation and ICT quality identified as critical drivers. Furthermore, the post-intervention results highlight a shift from technology access challenges to a focus on ICT content quality and psychosocial development, reflecting maturity in community adaptation and resource utilization. This research provides empirical evidence supporting the effectiveness of USR programs in catalyzing sustainable transformations in rural contexts. The results offer actionable insights for designing targeted interventions that integrate technical, social, and economic dimensions, contributing to the advancement of sustainable entrepreneurship and rural development theory.

Suggested Citation

  • Mabel Ysabel Otiniano León & Marco Agustín Arbulú Ballesteros & Emma Verónica Ramos Farroñán & Ana Elizabeth Paredes Morales, 2025. "Impact of University Social Responsibility on Strengthening Sustainable Rural Women’s Entrepreneurship: Multigroup Analysis Based on the SEM," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-19, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:13:p:5969-:d:1690199
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/13/5969/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/13/5969/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Srimoyee Datta & Tarak Nath Sahu, 2022. "How Far is Microfinance Relevant for Empowering Rural Women? An Empirical Investigation," Journal of Economic Issues, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 56(1), pages 97-112, January.
    2. Shreya Biswas & Upasak Das & Prasenjit Sarkhel, 2024. "Duration of exposure to inheritance law in India: Examining the heterogeneous effects on empowerment," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(2), pages 777-799, May.
    3. Changliang Yu & Siqi Yan & Xuelong Zhang, 2024. "The Effect of Green Entrepreneurship Education on Green Entrepreneurial Intentions: A Case Study of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-18, October.
    4. Tjaša Štrukelj & Petya Dankova & Nomi Hrast, 2023. "Strategic Transition to Sustainability: A Cybernetic Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-32, November.
    5. Isabel Marques & João Leitão & Alba Carvalho & Dina Pereira, 2021. "Public Administration and Values Oriented to Sustainability: A Systematic Approach to the Literature," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-27, February.
    6. Xiaoqi Kong & Qinghua Zeng & Xingfeng Guo & Feng Kong, 2024. "Sustainable Cultivation of Discipline Competition Programs for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education: An Example of the Food Science and Engineering Major," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-20, July.
    7. Kumar, Neha & Raghunathan, Kalyani & Arrieta, Alejandra & Jilani, Amir & Pandey, Shinjini, 2021. "The power of the collective empowers women: Evidence from self-help groups in India," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 146(C).
    8. Sajeda Pervin & Mohammad Nazari Ismail & Abu Hanifa Md Noman, 2023. "Does Microfinance Singlehandedly Empower Women? A Case Study of Bangladesh," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(2), pages 21582440221, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Kivara William Daudi & Yagnesh M. Dalvadi, 2025. "Mapping the Research Landscape of Microfinance: A Bibliometric Analysis (2016–2024)," SAGE Open, , vol. 15(4), pages 21582440251, October.
    2. Serra, Renata & McKune, Sarah & Ludgate, Nargiza & Singh, Nitya & Devkota, Kabita & Fall, Mouhamed & Obin, Gordon & Touré, Alioune & Tiwari, Chhavi & Russo, Sandra, 2025. "Intersectionality matters: An analysis of women’s empowerment among livestock holders in Nepal, Senegal and Uganda," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    3. Seema Ghosh & Mousumi Singha Mahapatra & Neelam Tandon & Deepak Tandon, 2024. "Achieving Sustainable Development Goal of Women Empowerment: A Study among Self-help Groups in India," FIIB Business Review, , vol. 13(4), pages 477-491, August.
    4. Henrique Oliveira & Víctor Moutinho, 2021. "Renewable Energy, Economic Growth and Economic Development Nexus: A Bibliometric Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-28, July.
    5. Zhian Zhiow Augustinne Wong & Ramez Abubakr Badeeb & Abey P. Philip, 2023. "Financial Inclusion, Poverty, and Income Inequality in ASEAN Countries: Does Financial Innovation Matter?," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 169(1), pages 471-503, September.
    6. McCarthy, Aine Seitz & Krause, Brooke, 2024. "Age and Agency: Evidence from a Women’s Empowerment Program in Tanzania," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 178(C).
    7. Michal Poljak & Radoslav Ponechal, 2023. "Microclimatic Monitoring—The Beginning of Saving Historical Sacral Buildings in Europe," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-20, January.
    8. Dahlum, Sirianne & Knutsen, Carl Henrik & Mechkova, Valeriya, 2022. "Women’s political empowerment and economic growth," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    9. Oladele, Oladimeji Idowu, . "Access to Livelihood Capital and Food Security Status as Correlates to Empowerment Among Women on Irrigation Schemes in North-West Province, South Africa," Problems of World Agriculture / Problemy Rolnictwa Światowego, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, vol. 23(2).
    10. Rosegrant, Mark W. & Bryan, Elizabeth & Thomas, Timothy S. & Wiebe, Keith D., 2025. "Climate change: Understanding impacts on agrifood systems and evaluating policy options," IFPRI book chapters, in: Global food policy report 2025: Food policy: Lessons and priorities for a changing world, chapter 4, pages 75-106, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    11. Vipinkumar V. P & Sary P. S. & Reshma Gills & Swathi Lekshmi P. S & Athira P. V. & Ambrose T. V & Binitha K. Vijayan & Smitha Rosey Xavier, 2025. "Innovative economic livelihood models: techno-economic feasibility analysis of cage fish culture for entrepreneurial development of marginalised communities, Kerala, India," Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research, Springer;UNESCO Chair in Entrepreneurship, vol. 15(1), pages 1-18, December.
    12. Maren Duvendack & Lina Sonne & Supriya Garikipati, 2023. "Gender Inclusivity of India’s Digital Financial Revolution for Attainment of SDGs: Macro Achievements and the Micro Experiences of Targeted Initiatives," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 35(6), pages 1369-1391, December.
    13. Priyanka Roy & Binoti Patro, 2025. "Effect of women's self‐help group participation on their financial inclusion measured through a women‐centric index: A study in North‐East India," Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 96(1), pages 65-97, March.
    14. Shukla, Shruti & Mosha, Neema R. & Meyer, Sarah R. & Harvey, Sheila & Lees, Shelley & Mshana, Gerry & Stöckl, Heidi, 2025. "Women's informal group participation and intimate partner violence in Mwanza, Tanzania: A longitudinal study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 364(C).
    15. Sujit Raghunathrao Jagadale & Jayne Krisjanous, 2023. "Exploring unheard voices: Best practices in interviewing women prosumers in Indian subsistence contexts," Journal of Consumer Affairs, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 57(1), pages 36-68, January.
    16. Varsha Vaishnav & Srijit Mishra, 2025. "Women's access to a bank account and household multidimensional poverty in rural India," Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research, Mumbai Working Papers 2025-022, Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research, Mumbai, India.
    17. Bonin, Sandrine & Rashed, Tarek & Nair, Rajiv & Chaudhary, Seema & V.R., Bhanu & Natarajan, Amritha & Bhavani, Rao, 2024. "A financial maturity model for the empowerment of women’s saving groups," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 34(C).
    18. Purushotham, Anjali & Aiyar, Anaka & von Cramon-Taubadel, Stephan, 2023. "Processed foods, socio-economic status, and peri-urban obesity in India," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    19. Kumar, Neha & Raghunathan, Kalyani & Quisumbing, Agnes & Scott, Samuel & Menon, Purnima & Thai, Giang & Gupta, Shivani & Nichols, Carly, 2024. "Women improving nutrition through self-help groups in India: Does nutrition information help?," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
    20. DeJaeghere, Joan & Pellowski Wiger, Nancy & Le, Hue & Luong, Phuong & Ngo, Nga Thi Hang & Vu, Thanh Thi & Lee, Jongwook, 2022. "Why do aspirations matter for empowerment?: Discrepancies between the A-WEAI domains and aspirations of ethnic minority women in Vietnam," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:13:p:5969-:d:1690199. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.