IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/plo/pone00/0199924.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Personality and social support as determinants of entrepreneurial intention. Gender differences in Italy

Author

Listed:
  • Monica Molino
  • Valentina Dolce
  • Claudio Giovanni Cortese
  • Chiara Ghislieri

Abstract

The interest in the promotion of entrepreneurship is significantly increasing, particularly in those countries, such as Italy, that suffered during the recent great economic recession and subsequently needed to revitalize their economy. Entrepreneurial intention (EI) is a crucial stage in the entrepreneurial process and represents the basis for consequential entrepreneurial actions. Several research projects have sought to understand the antecedents of EI. This study, using a situational approach, has investigated the personal and contextual determinants of EI, exploring gender differences. In particular, the mediational role of general self-efficacy between internal locus of control (LoC), self-regulation, and support from family and friends, on the one hand, and EI, on the other hand, has been investigated. The study involved a sample of 658 Italian participants, of which 319 were male and 339 were female. Data were collected with a self-report on-line questionnaire and analysed with SPSS 23 and Mplus 7 to test a multi-group structural equation model. The results showed that self-efficacy totally mediated the relationship between internal LoC, self-regulation and EI. Moreover, it partially mediated the relationship between support from family and friends and EI. All the relations were significant for both men and women; however, our findings highlighted a stronger relationship between self-efficacy and EI for men, and between support from family and friends and both self-efficacy and EI for women. Findings highlighted the role of contextual characteristics in addition to personal ones in influencing EI and confirmed the key mediational function of self-efficacy. As for gender, results suggested that differences between men and women in relation to the entrepreneur role still exist. Practical implications for trainers and educators are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Monica Molino & Valentina Dolce & Claudio Giovanni Cortese & Chiara Ghislieri, 2018. "Personality and social support as determinants of entrepreneurial intention. Gender differences in Italy," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(6), pages 1-19, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0199924
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199924
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0199924
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0199924&type=printable
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1371/journal.pone.0199924?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Carr, Jon C. & Sequeira, Jennifer M., 2007. "Prior family business exposure as intergenerational influence and entrepreneurial intent: A Theory of Planned Behavior approach," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 60(10), pages 1090-1098, October.
    2. Martin Obschonka & Eva Schmitt-Rodermund & Antonio Terracciano, 2014. "Personality and the Gender Gap in Self-Employment: A Multi-Nation Study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(8), pages 1-11, August.
    3. Ajzen, Icek, 1991. "The theory of planned behavior," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 50(2), pages 179-211, December.
    4. Fayolle, Alain & Liñán, Francisco, 2014. "The future of research on entrepreneurial intentions," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 67(5), pages 663-666.
    5. Martin Obschonka & Michael Stuetzer, 2017. "Integrating psychological approaches to entrepreneurship: the Entrepreneurial Personality System (EPS)," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 49(1), pages 203-231, June.
    6. Nan Langowitz & Maria Minniti, 2007. "The Entrepreneurial Propensity of Women," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 31(3), pages 341-364, May.
    7. Brockner, Joel & Higgins, E. Tory & Low, Murray B., 2004. "Regulatory focus theory and the entrepreneurial process," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 19(2), pages 203-220, March.
    8. Fiona Wilson & Jill Kickul & Deborah Marlino & Saulo Barbosa & Mark D. Griffiths, 2009. "An analysis of the role of gender and self-efficacy in developing female entrepreneurial interest and behavior," Post-Print hal-02312549, HAL.
    9. Francisco Linan & Alain Fayolle, 2015. "A systematic literature review on entrepreneurial intentions : citation, thematic analyses, and research agenda," Post-Print hal-02313298, HAL.
    10. Rachel S. Shinnar & Olivier Giacomin & Frank Janssen, 2012. "Entrepreneurial Perceptions and Intentions: The Role of Gender and Culture," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 36(3), pages 465-493, May.
    11. Gideon D. Markman & David B. Balkin & Robert A. Baron, 2002. "Inventors and New Venture Formation: the Effects of General Self–Efficacy and Regretful Thinking," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 27(2), pages 149-165, April.
    12. Philipp Koellinger & Maria Minniti & Christian Schade, 2013. "Gender Differences in Entrepreneurial Propensity," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, Department of Economics, University of Oxford, vol. 75(2), pages 213-234, April.
    13. Edmund R. Thompson, 2009. "Individual Entrepreneurial Intent: Construct Clarification and Development of an Internationally Reliable Metric," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 33(3), pages 669-694, May.
    14. Bandura, Albert, 1991. "Social cognitive theory of self-regulation," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 50(2), pages 248-287, December.
    15. Thomas Leoni & Martin Falk, 2010. "Gender and field of study as determinants of self-employment," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 34(2), pages 167-185, February.
    16. Lucas Hernandez & Nicholas Nunn & Tonia Warnecke, 2012. "Female entrepreneurship in China: opportunity- or necessity-based?," International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 15(4), pages 411-434.
    17. Luisa Rosti & Francesco Chelli, 2005. "Gender Discrimination, Entrepreneurial Talent and Self-Employment," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 24(2), pages 131-142, March.
    18. Teemu Kautonen & Marco van Gelderen & Matthias Fink, 2015. "Robustness of the Theory of Planned Behavior in Predicting Entrepreneurial Intentions and Actions," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 39(3), pages 655-674, May.
    19. Dilek Cetindamar & Vishal K. Gupta & Esra E. Karadeniz & Nilufer Egrican, 2012. "What the numbers tell: The impact of human, family and financial capital on women and men's entry into entrepreneurship in Turkey," Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(1-2), pages 29-51, January.
    20. Nancy G. Boyd & George S. Vozikis, 1994. "The Influence of Self-Efficacy on the Development of Entrepreneurial Intentions and Actions," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 18(4), pages 63-77, July.
    21. Verheul, Ingrid & Thurik, Roy & Grilo, Isabel & van der Zwan, Peter, 2012. "Explaining preferences and actual involvement in self-employment: Gender and the entrepreneurial personality," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 33(2), pages 325-341.
    22. Vishal K. Gupta & Daniel B. Turban & S. Arzu Wasti & Arijit Sikdar, 2009. "The Role of Gender Stereotypes in Perceptions of Entrepreneurs and Intentions to Become an Entrepreneur," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 33(2), pages 397-417, March.
    23. Maria Minniti & Carlo Nardone, 2007. "Being in Someone Else’s Shoes: the Role of Gender in Nascent Entrepreneurship," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 28(2), pages 223-238, March.
    24. Fiona Wilson & Jill Kickul & Deborah Marlino & Saulo D. Barbosa & Mark D. Griffiths, 2009. "An Analysis Of The Role Of Gender And Self-Efficacy In Developing Female Entrepreneurial Interest And Behavior," Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship (JDE), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 14(02), pages 105-119.
    25. Tim Mazzarol & Thierry Volery & Noelle Doss & Vicki Thein, 1999. "Factors Influencing small business start-ups : An epirical analysis and comparison with previous research," Post-Print hal-02311632, HAL.
    26. Desislava I. Yordanova & Maria-Antonia Tarrazon, 2010. "Gender Differences In Entrepreneurial Intentions: Evidence From Bulgaria," Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship (JDE), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 15(03), pages 245-261.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Ana Iolanda Vodă & Alina-Petronela Haller & Alexandru Anichiti & Gina Ionela Butnaru, 2020. "Testing Entrepreneurial Intention Determinants in Post-Transition Economies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-26, December.
    2. Angelo Rosa, 2023. "Organizational Training in Startups: The Incubators Perspective in Turbulent Times," International Journal of Business and Management, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 18(4), pages 1-1, August.
    3. Samir Marwan Hammami & Tareq Muhammad Alhousary & Ahmad Taha Kahwaji & Syed Ahsan Jamil, 2022. "The status quo of omani female entrepreneurs: a story of multidimensional success factors," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 56(4), pages 2063-2089, August.
    4. Murat Yalcintas & Oyk㜠Iyigãœn & Gokhan Karabulut, 2023. "Personal Characteristics And Intention For Entrepreneurship," The Singapore Economic Review (SER), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 68(02), pages 539-561.
    5. Nabil Al-Qadasi & Gongyi Zhang & Ibrahim Al-Jubari, 2021. "Attitude of youth towards self-employment: Evidence from university students in Yemen," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(9), pages 1-20, September.
    6. Rosy Musumeci & Chiara Ghislieri, 2020. "Some Voices from Italian Youth on Well-Being: How to Cope with Job Insecurity?," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-19, April.
    7. Mai, Nhat Chi, 2022. "What Drives Internet Entrepreneurial Intention to Use Technology Products? An Investigation of Technology Product Imagination Disposition, Social Support, and Motivation," OSF Preprints hr4sm, Center for Open Science.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Mohd Yasir Arafat & Javed Ali & Amit Kumar Dwivedi & Imran Saleem, 2020. "Social and Cognitive Aspects of Women Entrepreneurs: Evidence from India," Vikalpa: The Journal for Decision Makers, , vol. 45(4), pages 223-239, December.
    2. Shirokova, Galina & Osiyevskyy, Oleksiy & Bogatyreva, Karina, 2016. "Exploring the intention–behavior link in student entrepreneurship: Moderating effects of individual and environmental characteristics," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 34(4), pages 386-399.
    3. Aurora A. C. Teixeira & Rosa Portela Forte, 2017. "Prior education and entrepreneurial intentions: the differential impact of a wide range of fields of study," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 11(2), pages 353-394, March.
    4. Dianne H. B. Welsh & Eugene Kaciak & Caroline Minialai, 2017. "The influence of perceived management skills and perceived gender discrimination in launch decisions by women entrepreneurs," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 13(1), pages 1-33, March.
    5. María José González-López & María Carmen Pérez-López & Lázaro Rodríguez-Ariza, 2021. "From potential to early nascent entrepreneurship: the role of entrepreneurial competencies," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 17(3), pages 1387-1417, September.
    6. Bhairab Chandra Patra & Usha Lenka, 2018. "Entrepreneurial Intentions of Women: A literature review (Intencje przedsiebiorcze kobiet: przeglad literatury)," Research Reports, University of Warsaw, Faculty of Management, vol. 2(28), pages 111-125.
    7. Nicolás Contreras-Barraza & Juan Felipe Espinosa-Cristia & Guido Salazar-Sepulveda & Alejandro Vega-Muñoz, 2021. "Entrepreneurial Intention: A Gender Study in Business and Economics Students from Chile," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-14, April.
    8. Sonja Franzke & Jie Wu & Fabian Jintae Froese & Zi Xuan Chan, 2022. "Female entrepreneurship in Asia: a critical review and future directions," Asian Business & Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 21(3), pages 343-372, July.
    9. Arezou Abbasianchavari & Alexandra Moritz, 2021. "The impact of role models on entrepreneurial intentions and behavior: a review of the literature," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 71(1), pages 1-40, February.
    10. Jana Schmutzler & Veneta Andonova & Luis Diaz-Serrano, 2019. "How Context Shapes Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy as a Driver of Entrepreneurial Intentions: A Multilevel Approach," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 43(5), pages 880-920, September.
    11. Ramadani, Veland & Rahman, Md. Mizanur & Salamzadeh, Aidin & Rahaman, Md. Saidur & Abazi-Alili, Hyrije, 2022. "Entrepreneurship Education and Graduates' Entrepreneurial Intentions: Does Gender Matter? A Multi-Group Analysis using AMOS," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    12. Giuseppe Criaco & Philipp Sieger & Karl Wennberg & Francesco Chirico & Tommaso Minola, 2017. "Parents’ performance in entrepreneurship as a “double-edged sword” for the intergenerational transmission of entrepreneurship," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 49(4), pages 841-864, December.
    13. Mohd Yasir Arafat & Imran Saleem & Amit Kumar Dwivedi & Adil Khan, 2020. "Determinants of agricultural entrepreneurship: a GEM data based study," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 16(1), pages 345-370, March.
    14. Nadia Simoes & Nuno Crespo & Sandrina B. Moreira, 2016. "Individual Determinants Of Self-Employment Entry: What Do We Really Know?," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(4), pages 783-806, September.
    15. Ricardo Figueiredo Belchior & Roisin Lyons, 2021. "Explaining entrepreneurial intentions, nascent entrepreneurial behavior and new business creation with social cognitive career theory – a 5-year longitudinal analysis," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 17(4), pages 1945-1972, December.
    16. Carolin Palmer & Ulrike Fasbender & Sascha Kraus & Stephanie Birkner & Norbert Kailer, 2021. "A chip off the old block? The role of dominance and parental entrepreneurship for entrepreneurial intention," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 15(2), pages 287-307, February.
    17. Rachel S. Shinnar & Olivier Giacomin & Frank Janssen, 2012. "Entrepreneurial Perceptions and Intentions: The Role of Gender and Culture," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 36(3), pages 465-493, May.
    18. Steven A. Brieger & Michael M. Gielnik, 2021. "Understanding the gender gap in immigrant entrepreneurship: a multi-country study of immigrants’ embeddedness in economic, social, and institutional contexts," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 56(3), pages 1007-1031, February.
    19. Melodi Botha & Alex Bignotti, 2017. "Exploring moderators in the relationship between cognitive adaptability and entrepreneurial intention: findings from South Africa," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 13(4), pages 1069-1095, December.
    20. Ghulam Raza Sargani & Yuansheng Jiang & Deyi Zhou & Abbas Ali Chandio & Mudassir Hussain & Asif Ali & Muhammad Rizwan & Najeeb Ahmed Kaleri, 2021. "How do gender disparities in entrepreneurial aspirations emerge in Pakistan? An approach to mediation and multi-group analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(12), pages 1-22, December.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0199924. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: plosone (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.