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Challenging What We Think We Know: Theory and Evidence for Questioning Common Beliefs About the Gender Gap in Entrepreneurial Confidence

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  • Jennifer E. Jennings
  • Zahid Rahman
  • Dianna Dempsey

Abstract

Skeptical of prevailing depictions and recommendations regarding the gender gap in entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE), our aim is to raise and examine alternative interpretations and inferences. We question the common belief that women are under-confident with respect to entrepreneurship and whether this is a “problem†that needs fixing. The findings from two distinct datasets indicate, instead, that women are as likely as men to possess accurate entrepreneurial confidence, which is less likely than over-confidence to be associated with proclivities potentially detrimental to business venturing. Our analysis therefore calls for revised portrayals of—and suggestions for—the ESE of both women and men.

Suggested Citation

  • Jennifer E. Jennings & Zahid Rahman & Dianna Dempsey, 2023. "Challenging What We Think We Know: Theory and Evidence for Questioning Common Beliefs About the Gender Gap in Entrepreneurial Confidence," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 47(2), pages 369-397, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:entthe:v:47:y:2023:i:2:p:369-397
    DOI: 10.1177/10422587221102108
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