Gender differences in entrepreneurial intentions: a TPB multi-group analysis at factor and indicator level

We use the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to detect gender effects in the variables that shape entrepreneurial intentions. We find that the effect of gender on intentions is mediated via personal attitudes toward entrepreneurship and more so via perceived control over becoming an entrepreneur. These mediation effects at factorial level can be explained by moderation effects at indicator level. Where male students are driven by the more dominant achievement-oriented entrepreneurial values, female students are more driven by the less dominant balance-oriented entrepreneurial values. Where male students are driven by both internal and external feelings of control, female students are driven by the more dominant internal feelings of control. This study adds to the research that studies entrepreneurial intentions and clarifies how different entrepreneurial definitions for men and women may drive entrepreneurial behavior. ispartof: Working paper Steunpunt Ondernemen en Internationaal Ondernemen nrpages: 29 status: published