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.
