Students’ Attitude Towards Entrepreneurship: Does Gender Matter?

Abstract:     
Over the last twenty years, academics and economic organizations have demonstrated a growing interest in women entrepreneurs. Female entrepreneurship is now considered to be one of the most important sources of growth, employment and innovation. In the United States, women owned businesses are the fastest growing sector of new ventures overall. However, little is known about women entrepreneurs. In contradiction to previous research, which focused on women and men during their professional activity, this study concentrates on an earlier point, namely before the start of the professional career. This study aims at looking at gender-related differences in the context of self-employment. Family background, study-related factors and inhibiting and fostering factors that influence the choice of starting a business are examined. The project was initiated by the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg and the European Business School in Oestrich-Winkel (Germany). The survey was conducted in 2006 and the sample includes 553 students.

Keywords: entrepreneurship, student, gender, male, female

JEL Classification: M13

Accepted Paper Series