Abstract
The objective of this study was to examine the individual factors and strategic motivations that influence the inclination to expand the operations of a social enterprise internationally. In order to fulfil the study's objectives, quantitative data was gathered through the use of a survey questionnaire. This data was obtained from senior managers or CEOs of 128 small enterprises and 40 medium
enterprises that are currently operating within the geographical boundaries of Saudi Arabia. The data that was gathered was subjected to analysis through the use of simple linear regression in the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The study's findings indicate that personal factors, such as risk-taking propensity and entrepreneurial self-efficacy, play a significant role in influencing
the internationalisation intention of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, the internationalisation intention of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Saudi Arabia is significantly influenced by strategic motives such as the pursuit of markets and the acquisition of resources. Nevertheless, the study failed to yield substantial evidence regarding the correlation between the utilisation of technology and the intention of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Saudi Arabia to engage in internationalisation activities. The current investigation makes a valuable contribution to the existing body of knowledge, as research on the internationalisation of social enterprises is limited and lacking. Therefore, this study holds significant importance in terms of its contribution to the literature. Furthermore, the examination of personal factors, such as risk-taking propensity and self-efficacy, remains unexplored within the realm of internationalisation of social enterprises. In addition, it is noteworthy that no prior research has examined the strategic motivations, such as the pursuit of technology, markets, and resources, for the internationalisation of social enterprises. This study thusserves as a significant contribution in addressing this research gap