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Entrepreneurial cognitions in academia: exploring gender differences

Patricia Esther Alonso-Galicia (Faculty of Business Administration and Accounting, Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, México)
Virginia Fernández-Pérez (Administration Business Department, University of Granada, Granada, Spain)
Lázaro Rodríguez-Ariza (Department of Accounting and Finance, University of Granada, Granada, Spain)
María del Mar Fuentes-Fuentes (Administration Business Department, University of Granada, Granada, Spain)

Journal of Managerial Psychology

ISSN: 0268-3946

Article publication date: 10 August 2015

1296

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to draw from an adapted model of the Theory of Planned Behaviour and from existing models of entrepreneurial intention (EI) to analyse the role of gender on academics’ perceptions concerning the commercialisation of their research results. In particular, the authors explore differences in perceptions arising from diverse cognitions, such as attitudes towards entrepreneurial activities, the influence of close social groups and opportunity recognition self-efficacy.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was addressed to 500 Spanish academics who have headed research projects with public funding in technology-related areas, and the results were subjected to multigroup structural equation analysis (LISREL) to determine the extent and nature of the differences within this group.

Findings

The results obtained show that the influence of close social groups is perceived differently by men and women, particularly as regards the support received for academics’ attitudes and perceptions of control over the development of EI.

Practical implications

The aim is to better understand the world facing academics and the influences on their intention to commercialise research outcomes. An understanding of these issues offers the opportunity to design appropriate government interventions to assist academic entrepreneurs undertaking a business venture.

Originality/value

This paper considers an under-researched area that of female entrepreneurship in academia, traditionally considered a male-dominated activity. Helpful information is provided on gender differences in the academic context.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain (FEM2009-08511).

Citation

Alonso-Galicia, P.E., Fernández-Pérez, V., Rodríguez-Ariza, L. and Fuentes-Fuentes, M.d.M. (2015), "Entrepreneurial cognitions in academia: exploring gender differences", Journal of Managerial Psychology, Vol. 30 No. 6, pp. 630-644. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMP-08-2013-0262

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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