We assess gender differences in 1526 nascent entrepreneurs (college students) across four countries to test a model of entrepreneurial intentions incorporating gen-der, culture, and perceptions about entrepreneurship motives and barriers. In contrast to prior research on surviving entrepreneurs, we study people who may be at the very beginning of entrepreneurial careers.
The model proves significant—we find support for hypotheses regarding the impact of gender, culture, and perceptions of motives and barriers. There are substantial differences between men and women. Culture affects students’ intentions, women have lower levels of entrepreneurial intentions, motives generally have a positive influence on intentions, barriers have a negative influence, men appear more influenced by mo-tives, and women appear more influenced by barriers.
The results in China provide interesting exceptions in the analyses and suggest directions for future research specific to that country. As a whole, the study results suggest directions for future research on entrepreneurial intentions. We also discuss implications of the study for entrepreneurship education.