Cultural influences on the gender gap in entrepreneurship: social hierarchy and tradition

Abstract

Purpose This study examines the impact of social hierarchy and traditions on the gender gap in entrepreneurial intention, providing insights for designing culturally tailored policies to reduce this gap.

Design/methodology/approach Data from 352 business students across seven culturally diverse countries, including Mediterranean nations (Spain, Italy, Morocco) and South American nations (Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Uruguay), were analyzed. Entrepreneurial intention was examined through Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), with Hofstede’s power distance and long-term orientation serving as key indicators of their impact on the gender gap in entrepreneurial intention. Analysis was conducted using the partial least squares (PLS) algorithm with SMART-PLS software.

Findings Power distance negatively and significantly moderates the relationship between the gender gap and entrepreneurial intention, while long-term orientation positively and significantly moderates this relationship. Results indicate that the gender gap in entrepreneurship is smaller in highly hierarchical and traditional societies.

Practical implications Policies to reduce the gender gap in entrepreneurship should be culturally tailored rather than universally applied. In egalitarian societies, measures should focus on work-life balance and economic incentives, while hierarchical societies should prioritize eliminating gender stereotypes and structural barriers. Long-term oriented societies should enhance women’s access to financial resources, whereas short-term oriented societies should emphasize entrepreneurial training and education to leverage women’s adaptability and opportunity recognition skills.

Originality/value This study contributes to the entrepreneurship literature by demonstrating how hierarchical structures and cultural traditions shape entrepreneurial opportunities based on gender, reinforcing the need for context-specific policy interventions.