Are women's entrepreneurial intentions and motivations influenced by financial skills?

PurposeThis study aims to determine the contribution of financial skills to entrepreneurial intentions among women involved in university education.Design/methodology/approachClustering and logistic regression analyses were used to infer the determinants and motivators of entrepreneurial intention in a sample of women students at a Spanish online university.FindingsFinancial and numerical skills could play a significant role in boosting entrepreneurial culture, overcoming reticence and increasing awareness of business opportunities, particularly when women are motivated to increase their autonomy and income. The study offers meaningful implications for policymakers.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research will be needed before these conclusions may be inferred to other settings and circumstances. Comparison with a similar sample of potential male entrepreneurs may also be necessary to deduce the influence of gender.Practical implicationsThe introduction of certain financial content into the education system by governments and policymakers would produce remarkable results on entrepreneurship intention among women.Social implicationsRelational capital and positive social influences also contribute to mitigating the effects of risk aversion, one of the main barriers for potential female entrepreneurs.Originality/valueThe role of financial literacy in entrepreneurial intention among women has scarcely been addressed in academic research. The literature also has paid little attention to the analysis of what motivates women into entrepreneurship, and whether women who decide to embark on a business venture show different profiles. The aim of this study is to contribute to closing these gaps, exploring the effect of cognitive skills, personality traits, contextual factors and motivations.