To enhance organisational reputation, entrepreneurs are frequently put in the centre of attention. Particularly social entrepreneurs, who combine pro-social and entrepreneurial identities, often represent their organisations. Yet, we know little about how the presentation of a leader influences organisational reputation. Results of a 2 × 2 × 2 pre-registered experiment indicate that a leader-centred communication barely influences the stakeholders’ perceptions. However, stakeholders have a significantly better perception of a social enterprise that presents a leader with salient society-oriented character traits (versus business-oriented character traits). This study contributes to social entrepreneurship and reputation research and reveals new insights for practice.
To enhance organisational reputation, entrepreneurs are frequently put in the centre of attention. Particularly social entrepreneurs, who combine pro-social and entrepreneurial identities, often represent their organisations. Yet, we know little about how the presentation of a leader influences organisational reputation. Results of a 2 × 2 × 2 pre-registered experiment indicate that a leader-centred communication barely influences the stakeholders’ perceptions. However, stakeholders have a significantly better perception of a social enterprise that presents a leader with salient society-oriented character traits (versus business-oriented character traits). This study contributes to social entrepreneurship and reputation research and reveals new insights for practice.