Entrepreneurship Education and Entrepreneurial Intentions in India: Does Gender Really Play a Role?

Abstract

Purpose – This paper explores the relationship between gender, entrepreneurial education, and entrepreneurial intention in the Indian context toward the national goal of building entrepreneurial communities. Using extant literature drawn from across the globe, we empirically examined the relationship between entrepreneurship education (EE) and entrepreneurial intentions (EI), which is found to be positive in the extant literature. Additionally, we examined if the female gender attenuates this positive relationship. However, we also use career preparedness as a control variable to examine this relationship, a novel approach to this research stream in the Indian context. Design/methodology/approach – The data for this study were collected from CDE undergraduate students across four Indian universities (one being only for female students) through a standard structured questionnaire. Additionally, rather than examining EI as a monolithic construct, we conceptualize EI as comprising of three different dimensions comprising of a) Grand Vision and Risk-taking Ability, b) Opportunity Exploitation, and c) Ability to Persevere. Findings – There is a positive relationship between EE and EI. Additionally, we find that male students score higher for the first two dimensions of EI but not the third. The male students exhibited a higher EI score when composite EI construct was used. Furthermore, career preparedness as a control variable was used for additional analysis of the sample. The students with higher 'career preparedness' reported a positive relationship between EE and EI, independent of gender, for all three dimensions of EI. This result suggests that EE and EI relationship for females is not as simple, and a nuanced approach is needed. If a community of entrepreneurs needs to be developed in India, focus on career preparedness is critical. Originality/value – We conceptualize EI as comprising of three sub constructs: Grand Vision and Risk-taking Ability, Opportunity Exploitation, and Ability to Persevere, to understand the impact of formal EE on EI. An additional analysis was conducted for the students who reported higher scores for "being well prepared for their careers" through their institutes' academic programs and communities of entrepreneurs. We also interviewed some entrepreneurship instructors, who confirmed our findings through their observations.