Socio-Demographic Predictors of Entrepreneurial Intentions: The Mediating Role of Perceived Gender Discrimination Among Female Students

Ionut Antohi (), Silvia Ghita-Mitrescu, Andreea-Daniela Moraru (), Cristina Duhnea, Margareta Ilie and Georgiana-Loredana Schipor
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Ionut Antohi: Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Economics, “Ovidius” University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania
Silvia Ghita-Mitrescu: Department of Finance and Accounting, Faculty of Economics, “Ovidius” University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania
Andreea-Daniela Moraru: Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Economics, “Ovidius” University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania
Cristina Duhnea: Department of Finance and Accounting, Faculty of Economics, “Ovidius” University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania
Margareta Ilie: Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Economics, “Ovidius” University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania
Georgiana-Loredana Schipor: Department of Finance and Accounting, Faculty of Economics, “Ovidius” University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 20, 1-25

Abstract: Understanding entrepreneurial intention among female students has become increasingly important for addressing gender disparities in business creation and fostering economic development. Pursuing to promote inclusive entrepreneurship and reduce gender gaps in business creation aligns with Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 5 (gender equality). This study examines how demographic and social variables influence entrepreneurial intentions, with perceived gender discrimination as a potential mediating factor. Data were collected through an online survey employing a structured questionnaire and analyzed using logistic regression models incorporating mediation analysis. The sample consisted of 360 female students from a university in the South–East region of Romania. Among the six socio-demographic variables examined, marital status and income satisfaction emerge as significant predictors. The results indicated that married students expressed higher entrepreneurial intentions, while the participants with higher income satisfaction reported lower entrepreneurial intentions. Perceived gender discrimination was not a significant mediator in the tested model, and all calculated indirect effects were statistically non-significant. The findings of the study offer valuable insights for the design and implementation of local entrepreneurship policies as well as for university strategies and curricula adjustments to better support young women in their entrepreneurship endeavors.

Keywords: female students; perceived gender discrimination; entrepreneurial intention; mediation analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:20:p:9181-:d:1772966

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