Gender, Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy, and Entrepreneurial Career Intentions: Implications of Female Role Models for Entrepreneurship Education

Purpose: Guided by self-efficacy, entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship education theory three main research objectives are proposed. Firstly, to examine and assess how entrepreneurship education is delivered from primary... [ view full abstract ]

Purpose: Guided by self-efficacy, entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship education theory three main research objectives are proposed. Firstly, to examine and assess how entrepreneurship education is delivered from primary school level education to third level education in an Irish context. Secondly, to explore the role and input of female role models in the entrepreneurship education system. Thirdly, to assess the effects of female role models on the entrepreneurial self-efficacy and career intentions of students.

Design/Methodology/Approach: For the purpose of this study a qualitative approach will be adopted as it has the potential to increase the validity, depth, richness and creativity of entrepreneurship education research.

Research Implications: From a policy perspective, the research will inform entrepreneurship, education and gender policy development. From a practical perspective, this research will provide empirical evidence of the role and impact of female role models across the education system.

Originality/Value: Prior research has been conducted on entrepreneurial self-efficacy, gender roles in entrepreneurship as well as a large amount of research attention on entrepreneurship education. There does however seem to be a gap in combining these theories together to recognise the effect that entrepreneurship education has on female students in particular as well as examining the effect of female role models on the entrepreneurial mind-set and career intentions of students.

Keywords: entrepreneurship, self-efficacy, career intentions, gender, role models, education, female, entrepreneurial self efficacy. Paper Type: Doctoral Colloquium Paper [ view full abstract ]

Keywords: entrepreneurship, self-efficacy, career intentions, gender, role models, education, female, entrepreneurial self efficacy.

Paper Type: Doctoral Colloquium Paper