Effects of Gender on Students’ Entrepreneurial Intentions: A Theory of Planned Behaviour Perspective

Abstract

Based on a sample of 301 first, second and third-year undergrad entrepreneurship students from a university of technology in South Africa, the purpose of this research paper was to investigate the effects of gender on students’ entrepreneurial intentions (EI), as well as the determinants of EI. The theory of planned behaviour (TPB) underpins this research. The study’s objectives were to establish whether the TPB might assist in explaining the effects of gender on students’ EI, as well as the factors that influence EI. The data was analysed using partial least square (PLS) structural equation modeling (SEM) algorithm in SmartPLS 3.3.3. The findings of this study revealed that gender has no significant relationship with students’ EI, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control and attitude towards behaviour. In terms of the TPB, the findings revealed that all the antecedents of the TPB have a statistically significant correlation with EI. The findings suggest that the TPB can be regarded as a useful tool for evaluating students’ EI.