Gender Issues in Entrepreneurship: An Empirical Study of Entrepreneurial Aspirations among Students with Management Background

Abstract

In a macro scenario, due to the existing gender differences, the fact remains that male entrepreneurs exceed female entrepreneurs. The gender differences show in the management style, motivational aspects and certain innate qualities. This has led the present study to explore the same with respect to budding entrepreneurs. Management Institutions have been conducting courses on Entrepreneurship with a view to enabling the aspiring students to become effective entrepreneurs. Apparently, there has been awareness created among the students, with different aspiration levels, towards setting-up of their own ventures. The empirical study was aimed at studying the entrepreneurial aspirations among students doing a Management course and exploring gender differences in entrepreneurial characteristics. A questionnaire has been used to collect the data from them covering the variables of gender, family background, educational skills, career goals and aspirations to become entrepreneurs, among others. The data have been statistically analyzed and tested with focus on examining the issues concerning gender. Certain concepts such as necessity entrepreneurship, opportunity entrepreneurship, motivational factors and the importance of certain internal and external factors affecting their aspiration levels have been tested. The empirical study was planned with the objectives: 1. To study the entrepreneurial aspirations among students doing a Management course 2. To explore gender differences in entrepreneurial characteristics