Gender effects on entrepreneurial intention: a meta‐analytical structural equation model

Abstract

PurposeAlthough the percentage of female entrepreneurs has increased over the past several years, it is far below the level of males. Drawing on the theory of planned behaviour and role congruity theory, the purpose of this paper is to specify a model in which the relationship between gender and entrepreneurial intention (EI) is mediated by three essential motivational constructs (i.e. attitude toward starting a business, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control (PBC)).Design/methodology/approachThe study specifies and tests a meta‐analytical structural equation model. The study aggregates the results of 30 studies (n=52,367).FindingsThe study reveals a higher average EI for men compared to women. However, although significant, the gender differences in EI and the motivational constructs were small and cannot sufficiently explain the substantial differences in actually starting a business. Furthermore, moderator analyses show differences in the gender‐EI relationship between Europe and the US and between students and non‐students.Research limitations/implicationsDifferences between men and women seem to be a consequence of differences in turning intentions into implementation. Researchers are called upon to investigate gender differences in hindrances as a potential explanation for different implementations and when and why women give up their entrepreneurial plans. Moreover, future research should investigate further motivational processes beyond those suggested by the theory of planned behavior.Originality/valueThe study analyses the relationship between gender and EI and the results show a weak relationship which indicates that the higher number of male entrepreneurs cannot solely be explained by differences in motivation.

Prior Exposure and Educational Environment towards Entrepreneurial Intention

“…Additionally, Haus et al (2013) conclude that women transform their intentions into action to a much lesser extent than men do. Evidence suggests that female students, compared with male students, have lower confidence in their business abilities (Wilson et al 2007).…”

Entrepreneurial Intention and Outcome Expectancy: Evidence from South Korea and China

“…However, with the steady increase in the number of female entrepreneurs, an increasing body of research has investigated the role of gender in entrepreneurial processes (Haus et al, 2013). The literature has shown mixed results regarding gender differences in entrepreneurial intentions.…”

“…Research has shown that many factors such as need for achievement, propensity to take risk, tolerance for ambiguity, locus of control, self-efficacy, and egoistic passion, can affect a person's intention to engage in entrepreneurial activities, (Shane, Locke, & Collins, 2003). These motivational factors for entrepreneurship have also been suggested to vary among human groups (Haus, Steinmetz, Isidor, & Kabst, 2013;Liñán & Chen, 2009). Although this stream of research has contributed to the entrepreneurial literature, several areas need to be improved.…”

Gender and the use of external business advice: a Swedish study

“…Studies by, for example, Pettersson (2002) and Lewis and Massey (2011) show how women's efforts in the small business sector are invisible or valued lower than those of men. One important issue is the gender gap in the business start-up, motivation and intention (Humbert and Drew, 2010;Haus et al, 2013). Consequently a part of earlier studies (Sena et al, 2012;Watson et al, 2009) deals with the question of whether such gender gap is caused by women's greater problems with funding.…”