Do enterprise education competitions have gendered outcomes amongst STEM early-career researchers?

Achtzehn, Sahattaya; Treanor, Lorna; Amess, Kevin

Abstract

This article examines whether an enterprise education competition is gendered and so, may have unintended gendered outcomes for male and female Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) early-career researcher participants. Sex-based differences in entrepreneurial intentions (EI) and entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) are examined and, drawing on Social Cognitive Career Theory, we explore perceived gender-barriers to entrepreneurship and their influence upon ESE and EI. Employing pre- and post-survey data from 120 STEM early-career researchers participating in the competition, we undertook t-tests, difference-in-differences and hierarchical-regression analyses. We found no significant sex-based differences in EI and ESE. Participation in the competition had a significant impact upon perceived gender-barriers for both sexes; perceptions of stereotype threat and childcare-work conflict barriers were reduced for women post-participation, while their perceived lack of role models increased. Gender-barriers were found to have a significant negative influence on ESE and EI. We contribute to developing intention-based analysis beyond traditional gender-blind measures through incorporating gendered structural barriers which demonstrably influence EI.

Citation

Achtzehn, S., Treanor, L., & Amess, K. (2023). Do enterprise education competitions have gendered outcomes amongst STEM early-career researchers?. International Small Business Journal, 41(8), 801-824. https://doi.org/10.1177/02662426231158281

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 2, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Mar 25, 2023
• Publication Date: Mar 25, 2023
• Deposit Date: Feb 6, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 25, 2023
• Journal: International Small Business Journal
• Print ISSN: 0266-2426
• Electronic ISSN: 1741-2870
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 41
• Issue: 8
• Article Number: 026624262311582
• Pages: 801-824
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/02662426231158281
• Keywords: Entrepreneurial Intention; Gender; STEM Women Entrepreneurs; Entrepreneurship Education
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/17072143
• Publisher URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/02662426231158281