Exploring Antecedents of Female IT Entrepreneurial Intentions in the Saudi Context

Abstract

IT entrepreneurs are a source for promoting socio-economic growth, innovation and job opportunities. Despite the increasing awareness of this importance, evidence indicates that women in IT entrepreneurship are heavily underrepresented. However, a comprehensive literature indicates that innovation, technology and female entrepreneurs are rarely studied in the same context and they have been ignored in both Information Systems (IS) and female entrepreneurship disciplines. Therefore, a conceptual model that will affect women’s IT entrepreneurial intention and decision-making processes is proposed. Hypotheses have been developed. Data has been collected in different Saudi female public universities as well as technology incubator, and entrepreneurship programs. Partial Least Square approach has been applied to analyse the data. The findings provide key factors affecting women’s IT entrepreneurial intention to perform IT entrepreneurial behaviors.