Gender differences in the impact of ecological awareness on entrepreneurial intent

Abstract In a context in which the high and persistent unemployment rates of young people show the wide gap that still exists to achieve the goal of full social and labour integration of this group, this paper proposes a model that assesses the influence of environmental factors and gender on the entrepreneurial intentions of young people. Using structural equations (SEM model) we have provided new evidence about the influence of environmental awareness and gender on the entrepreneurial intention of young university students. Consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals, the results of this study indicate that young university students perceive it is possible to reconcile environmental care and entrepreneurship. However, despite the youth of the respondents, a culture based on traditional gender roles still seems to persist. Perhaps the challenge is not to attempt to change these deeply ingrained social roles, but to direct entrepreneurial promotion and education towards the consideration of sustainable entrepreneurship. Regarding the moderating effects of gender in the model, it is revealing to note the different perceptions of the environment that men and women seem to have.