Exploring the entrepreneurial intention of female students in Italy

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to investigate the entrepreneurial intention of Italian female students according to the Ajzen's Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). In particular, we analysed the women's intention to become entrepreneurs because the relevance of the female entrepreneurship phenomenon is a growing issue. Indeed, millions of women are involved in creating and operating enterprises, which suggests that women are an important engine of economic growth for developing countries. Using survey data from 441 Italian female students, we found that social pressure influences business students' intention to become entrepreneurs. Focusing on female students, their intention is affected also by the perceived behavioural control. These results are of interest for policy makers and regulators in promoting entrepreneurial skills among young populations, with consequent reduction of the unemployment rate. Finally, this paper provides a new model that helps to understand the students' entrepreneurial intentions based on gender role.