The Roles of Psychological Capital and Gender in University Students’ Entrepreneurial Intentions

Abstract

Universities increasingly play an important role in entrepreneurship, which has contributed to gender equality in the business world. The aim of this study is to establish a causal model of entrepreneurial intentions and explore it by gender, based on the dimensions of the Theory of Planned Behavior, and how these are mediated by the individuals’ resilience and psychological well-being. The previous work experience was considered as one of the control variables, in order to analyze whether this influence the entrepreneurial intention. With a convenience sample of 644 Portuguese students, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used. For a better understanding, multivariate analyses were performed and each one was individually reported, and for appropriate comparisons by gender, the t-student test was used. The comparison of means, between genders, showed that there are differences only between perceived behavioral control, subjective norm, and entrepreneurial intention, with women scoring the highest values, and psychological well-being, with men scoring the higher. A serial mediation path was performed, and psychological resilience was found to mediate a significant effect between perceived behavioral control and intention in females, but not in males. It also mediates a significant effect between attitude and intention in females, but not in males. These results show that attitude is a determining factor for females to become entrepreneurs. Finally, after discussing the results, theoretical and practical contributions are analyzed, with regard to the field of entrepreneurship in Portugal, and alternatives are pointed out for a more entrepreneurial future, reinforcing the role of higher education institutions.

Impact of the Optimistic Perspective on the Intention to Create Social Enterprises: A Comparative Study Between Portugal and Spain

“…Our findings indicate that spirituality mediates the relationship between PBC and SEI, and between attitude toward a behavior and intentions to undertake in a social way in Portuguese students. The way in which spirituality influences the individual to have a behavior that creates a positive effect on society and his/her perceived ability to overcome obstacles, makes them more resilient and persevering ( Margaça et al, 2021 ). In addition, spirituality also empowers people to face the adversities of daily life, in a personal and unique way ( Benavent, 2014 ).…”

“…As several studies on entrepreneurial intentions point out (e.g., Ward et al, 2019 ; Margaça et al, 2021 ), also when we study the intention to engage in SE, the individuals’ training/academic area is not limited to the area of management and business. Few studies have been done on the relationship between variables such as spirituality and its intrinsic values and SEI.…”

Psychological Capital Mediates the Relationship Between Problematic Smartphone Use and Learning Burnout in Chinese Medical Undergraduates and Postgraduates: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Psychological capital represents the development of positive psychology of people, resulting positive organizational behaviors and demonstrates performance (Costa and Neves, 2017); and it includes four dimensions: self-efficacy, hope, optimism, and resilience (Luthans et al, 2007a). Psychological capital is related to the achievements and well-being of individuals (Margaça et al, 2020), and it can be exploited like social resources (Luthans et al, 2006). Several studies have indicated that internet addiction is negatively correlated with psychological capital (Simsek and Sali, 2014).…”

The Role of Experience and Gender in Founders' Business Planning Activities: A Meta Analysis

“…Furthermore, women have been found to be less ambitious and to have lower risk tolerance than men (Cardella et al, 2020). Similarly, (Margaça et al, 2020) found that female entrepreneurs possess a tendency toward taking less risk. Thus, entrepreneurial experience enhances female entrepreneurs' risk awareness, and they are more likely to engage in business planning activities to avoid uncertainty and decrease future risk (Brinckmann et al, 2010).…”