Entrepreneurial Intentions in Jordan: Does Gender Matter?

Abstract

This study uses the theory of planned behavior to investigate how gender factors influence

entrepreneurial intentions in Jordan and considers what implications the study’s findings have for accelerating

socio-political development and economic growth in Arabic countries. To collect the data needed to conduct

this study, 411 valid participants at two universities in Jordan were asked to complete a survey, and their

responses were analysed using structural equation modelling multi-group analysis. The results showed that

while both genders value entrepreneurship as a desirable career path, males’ value it more strongly. Even

though the perceived feasibility of undertaking such a career was found to be high for both genders, it was

higher for females. This indicates that females are more self-confident than males that they will be successful

entrepreneurs. The effects of subjective norms were found to be insignificant, with the exception of females in

regard to the moderating level of analysis, which showed that while a woman’s family might not approve of her

decision to become an entrepreneur, she would generally ignore their disapproval.