A Gender Analysis of Entrepreneurial Intention Among Postgraduate Students in Ecuador

This study aims to analyze the determinants of entrepreneurial intention among postgraduate students through a gender-comparative approach. The sample consists of 457 students from three Ecuadorian universities (244 women and 213 men). A quantitative methodology was adopted, employing covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM). The findings indicate that personal attitude exerts a stronger influence on women’s entrepreneurial intention, whereas perceived behavioral control shows a greater effect among men. Additionally, the influence of entrepreneurial knowledge on both personal attitude and perceived behavioral control, as well as the effect of perceived access to finance on entrepreneurial intention, does not differ significantly between female and male students. These results provide empirical evidence on gender dynamics in the formation of entrepreneurial intention and highlight the importance of incorporating a gender perspective into the design of university entrepreneurship education and promotion programs.