Purpose There have been few investigations regarding the relationship of gender and role models with students’ entrepreneurial intention (EI). The purpose of this study is to apply a conceptual framework to explain the relationship of gender and role models with the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) constructs: attitudes towards behaviour (ATB), subjective norms (SN), perceived behaviour control (PBC) and intentions. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on data collected from a questionnaire survey completed by 1,496 freshman Saudi students enrolled during the 2016-2017 academic year in business, finance and economics undergraduate programmes. To analyse the data and test the proposed hypotheses, a confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling (SEM) are applied. Findings The results show that the TPB constructs are validated in the specific Saudi context. In fact, these constructs were significantly related to EI. Only the SN and PBC constructs mediate the relationship between role models and EI. Furthermore, gender moderates the relationships of role models with EI, PBC with EI and role models with the SN. More precisely, this study reveals that gender differences in SN and PBC, and women’s EI are more likely to be influenced by the SN and PBC than men’s EI. However, PBC is a relevant determinant for both male and female students. These results differ from those of previous studies on gender influences. These results could be explained by two main reasons, such as women’s socialization and institutional processes. Research limitations/implications The main limitation is that it was not possible to claim generalization of findings. Theoretical and managerial implications are proposed to add new evidence in the field. These results could help all stakeholders engaged in promoting entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia and stimulate appropriate and customized entrepreneurial initiatives, curriculum and policies for both men and women. Originality/value This study is one of the first to conduct such investigations in Saudi Arabia and in institutions of higher education. This study removes the stereotypes about the entrepreneurial potential of women.

中文翻译：

---

榜样和性别对沙特阿拉伯新生的创业意向的影响

目的很少有关于性别和榜样与学生创业意愿（EI）之间关系的调查。这项研究的目的是应用一个概念框架，以解释性别与榜样与计划行为理论（TPB）的关系：对行为的态度（ATB），主观规范（SN），感知行为控制（PBC）和意图。设计/方法/方法这项研究基于从2016年至2017学年攻读商业，金融和经济学本科课程的1,496名沙特阿拉伯新生完成的问卷调查中收集的数据。为了分析数据并检验提出的假设，应用了验证性因子分析和结构方程模型（SEM）。结果结果表明，TPB构建体在特定的沙特语境中得到了验证。实际上，这些构建体与EI显着相关。只有SN和PBC构造才可以介导榜样和EI之间的关系。此外，性别角色会调节角色模型与EI，PBC与EI以及角色模型与SN之间的关系。更准确地说，这项研究表明，SN和PBC中的性别差异以及女性EI比男性EI受SN和PBC的影响更大。但是，PBC对于男女学生都是一个重要的决定因素。这些结果与先前关于性别影响的研究结果不同。这些结果可以由两个主要原因解释，例如妇女的社会化和体制进程。研究的局限性/意义主要的局限性是不可能要求对发现进行概括。提出了理论和管理方面的建议，以增加该领域的新证据。这些结果可以帮助所有参与促进沙特阿拉伯企业家精神的利益攸关方，并激发适当的和量身定制的男女创业计划，课程和政策。原创性/价值这项研究是在沙特阿拉伯和高等教育机构中进行此类调查的首批研究之一。这项研究消除了关于女性创业潜力的刻板印象。这些结果可以帮助所有参与促进沙特阿拉伯企业家精神的利益攸关方，并激发适当的和量身定制的男女创业计划，课程和政策。原创性/价值这项研究是在沙特阿拉伯和高等教育机构中进行此类调查的首批研究之一。这项研究消除了关于女性创业潜力的刻板印象。这些结果可以帮助所有参与促进沙特阿拉伯企业家精神的利益攸关方，并激发适当的和量身定制的男女创业计划，课程和政策。原创性/价值这项研究是在沙特阿拉伯和高等教育机构中进行此类调查的首批研究之一。这项研究消除了关于女性创业潜力的刻板印象。