BOOSTING ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTIONS AMONG FEMALE TOURISM STUDENTS THROUGH SOCIAL SUPPORT AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SELF-EFFICACY IN EGYPT: CAN ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION MODERATE?
MARWA REFAAT MAHMOUD AHMED *
School of Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management (STHEM), Universiti Utara Malaysia, Kedah, Sintok, Malaysia.
KALSOM KAYAT
OYA Graduate School of Business, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Kedah, Sintok, Malaysia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The current paper aimed to conceptually underline the prediction of entrepreneurial intentions of female students in Egypt. The paper asserts through prior scholarly evidence that social support and entrepreneurial self-efficacy can have a massive value towards enhancing females’ entrepreneurial intentions. The paper sheds light on how social support means may allow an individual to increase willingness to engage in entrepreneurial activities mainly for females. Accordingly, the paper also sheds light on why it is essential to boost individual confidence in themselves (efficacy) to further these intentions for entrepreneurial willingness. In addition, throughout the literature, it has been identified that entrepreneurship education is one of the most important factors that steer entrepreneurial intention towards starting a venture and considered as a key area in entrepreneurship’s domain. In this sense, the paper further outlines that there is a potential of the significant moderating role of Entrepreneurship Education on these relationships between Social Support and Entrepreneurial Self-efficacy on Female entrepreneurial Intention. The paper presents a critical reflection, debate and arguments over the topic for future scholars aiming to work on developing entrepreneurial intentions particularly among the Egyptian female students who are the actual business leaders of tomorrow. The paper forwards recommendation for aspiring scholars on the topic alongside conceptual framework and prepositions.
Keywords: Female entrepreneurial intentions, entrepreneurship education, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, social support.