Gender and entrepreneurial intentions

Abstract

The paper identifies commonalities and differences between women and men in terms of eleven key factors’ impact on the formation of entrepreneurial intentions (EIs) among Norwegian students. The analysis is based on a sample of 1,782 Norwegian students from a variety of faculties and degree programs. A path analysis methodological approach is used, while being based on multiple regressions so as to gradually refine model complexities. Findings show that common to both sexes are the effects of entrepreneurial experience, social norms, self-efficacy, and age. The direct effects of role models and taking an economics major are only evident among males. The direct effect of entrepreneurship education and risk perceptions are only evident among females. Moreover, the study identifies the criticality of role models and an economics major in the overall network of effects in the case of male students, as well as the critical role of entrepreneurial education in the overall network of effects in the case of female students.