Female technopreneur role models and technopreneurial intentions among South African female technology students

Abstract

Purpose – The objective was to investigate the influence that female technopreneur role models (Female TRM) have on the technopreneurial intentions (TI) among female technology students in South Africa. The theory of planned behaviour, social learning theory, and institutional theory were applied to understand role models' theoretical influence on technopreneurial intentions among female tech students in South Africa. Design/methodology/approach—This research adopted a quantitative approach, and the data was collected through an online questionnaire from 274 consenting female technology students in South Africa. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis and Mediation analysis were applied to analyse the influence of Female TRM, attitude towards technopreneurship, technopreneurial self-efficacy, and the perception of the normative institutional environment on technopreneurial intentions. Findings – The mediation analysis results found the influence of female technopreneur role models on technopreneurial intentions to be positive but not significant among female technology students in South Africa. However, the knowledge of female technopreneur role models has a positive significant influence on technopreneurial self-efficacy. A positive attitude towards technopreneurship emerged as the most significant predictor of technopreneurial intentions based on the results of the hierarchical multiple regression analysis. Lastly, positive perceptions of the normative institutional environment positively influence the knowledge of female tech role models among female tech students in South Africa. Practical implications - The findings of the study show that there needs to be an emphasis on celebrating and promoting female technopreneur role models because they significantly increase the self-confidence of potential female technopreneurs. To shift ii technopreneurial intentions, policies and programs aimed at enhancing the desirability of technopreneurship will significantly increase intentions and are likely to shift the gender gap in technopreneurship among female technology students in South Africa. Originality/value – New empirical evidence was generated to evaluate the effectiveness of the role model recommendation in closing the technopreneurship gender gap in South Africa.