Factors that contribute to the gender gap in entrepreneurial self-confidence

Abstract

Factors that contribute to the gender gap in entrepreneurial self-confidence A study by Professors Dempsey and Jennings offers key insights into why women tend to be less confident than men in their entrepreneurial ability. In a prior Open Access Government article, Dr Jennifer Jennings shared intriguing evidence (from a study conducted with Dr Zahid Rahman and Dr Dianna Dempsey) challenging prevailing beliefs that women are ‘under-confident’ in their entrepreneurial ability. Here, Professors Dempsey and Jennings share findings from a related investigation into the factors that can help explain why women’s entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) nevertheless tends to be lower, on average, than men’s.