Entrepreneurial intentions among women: does entrepreneurial training and education matters? (Pre- and post-evaluation of psychological attributes and its effects on entrepreneurial intention)

PurposeResearchers have been trying to identify different psychological attributes which influence entrepreneurial intention (EI) and role of entrepreneurial education and training programs to develop these attributes among women. Therefore, the purpose of this study is twofold: firstly, to evaluate the difference among psychological attributes before and after an entrepreneurial education and training program. Secondly, to examine the effects of psychological attributes on EI among female students in Saudi Arabia.Design/methodology/approachA detailed program was designed with the combination of entrepreneurial education and training program throughout a 14-week semester. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire from 310 female university students studying in a Saudi university and participated in this program. SPSS, version 20, was used to analyze the data.FindingsEntrepreneurial education and training programs based on active learning and learner-centered approaches play an important role to significantly improve the level of psychological attributes and EI of female students. Furthermore, findings of this study also suggest that psychological attributes (training retention, self-confidence, tolerance of ambiguity, innovativeness and achievement motivation) positively influence EI.Originality/valuePrevious studies only focused on relationship testing among psychological attributes and EI. This research proposes strategies to design entrepreneurial education and training program to improve psychological attributes and EI which can be considered practical version of EntreComp conceptual model.