The Effect of Science & Technology Park, Market Segregation and Commercialization Support on Female Entrepreneurship in Pakistan

Abstract

Female students have few opportunities and training to develop their entrepreneurial careers in developing economies. The existing literature also provides little discussion of linking women’s entrepreneurial intention with their entrepreneurial careers. The researchers addressed the gaps in the literature by empirically confirming the impact of science and technology parks, market segregation, and commercialization support on female students’ entrepreneurship in Pakistan. The study also tested the moderating role of the economic climate on the relationship between science and technology parks, market segregation, commercialization support, and female students’ entrepreneurship. We used a survey-based data collection approach, and a Likert scale questionnaire was administered. The study used data collected from 247 female students registered in business incubators. The research findings are new in the literature and confirm the science & technology park, market segregation and commercialization support are significant antecedents that influence the entrepreneurial intention of female students in Pakistan. The impact of female students’ entrepreneurial intention is positive on their entrepreneurship careers. Meanwhile, the economic climate is established as a negative moderator between female students’ entrepreneurial intention and their entrepreneurial careers in Pakistan. We recommend that policymakers develop the science & technology park, market segregation and commercialization support for female students to grow their entrepreneurial careers.