How voluntary sector experience as a unique institutional catalyst shapes general entrepreneurial alertness and intentions

This study addresses how voluntary sector employment can enhance an individual’s general entrepreneurial alertness and intentions. Specifically, it examines the mediating role of entrepreneurial alertness and the moderating role of the societal values of benevolence and egalitarianism, across several countries. We tested the model using a larger dataset of 457,407 country-year matched samples based on Propensity Score Matching (PSM) to alleviate endogeneity and selection bias from 38 countries/regions spanning 2015–2019. Results reveal that individuals with voluntary sector experience are more alert to recognizing entrepreneurial opportunities, and this relationship is amplified in societies with strong benevolence and egalitarian values. Consequently, this research advances the theoretical understanding of opportunity and provides actionable implications for individuals navigating the intersection of voluntary work and entrepreneurship.