Entrepreneurial Aspirations of the Students of the Technological University of Panama, from a Gender Perspective

Abstract

Today, one of the factors that has been identified as fundamental for the growth of countries is entrepreneurship. Likewise, countries, especially in the Latin American region, face the challenge of increasing their entrepreneurial human capital, particularly those dynamic entrepreneurs, born in the academic environment. However, to create that critical mass of potential entrepreneurs, it is necessary to know the factors that promote or inhibit their entrepreneurial aspirations. The objective of this work is to examine whether there are differences in the entrepreneurial aspirations of male and female university students at the Technological University of Panama (UTP). The methodological design proposes a descriptive study, based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TCP), which will provide knowledge about gender differences, taking into account attitude, subjective norm, perceived control, education in entrepreneurship, and its relationship with the entrepreneurial aspiration. The instrument that will be used will be a questionnaire applied to students of the Technological University of Panama. Based on the analysis of the hypotheses raised, conclusions and recommendations will be presented aimed at proposing programs and policies based on greater clarity of the university entrepreneurial aspiration, specifically of the UTP, that seek to strengthen the business fabric, based on knowledge, raising from In this way, the competitiveness of the country and the participation of university women in innovative, non-traditional productive activities, especially in science and technology areas.