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

Mabel Ysabel Otiniano León, Marco Agustín Arbulú Ballesteros (), Emma Verónica Ramos Farroñán and Ana Elizabeth Paredes Morales
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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

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 13, 1-19

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.

Keywords: sustainable entrepreneurship; rural women empowerment; university social responsibility (USR); structural equation modeling (SEM); economic empowerment; community development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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