| The discussion of gender differences and their relationship to entrepreneurial behavior is valuable to identify the distinctive personality traits of women who choose to become entrepreneurs, and how social factors have influenced women in their decisions to become entrepreneurs. A mixed methodology study was conducted to study the differences in education, Entrepreneurial Quotient (EQ) scores, beliefs about entrepreneurial success, and other characteristics of 110 men and women who chose to become entrepreneurs in two counties in the Midwest. The results of the research found that male and female entrepreneurs do possess differences on the 11 EQ scales by gender, however, no relationships were found between the 11 EQ scales and 6 measures of entrepreneurial success for each gender, and education level did not impact entrepreneurial success for each gender. Male entrepreneurs scored higher on measures of adaptability, risk tolerance, time management, extroversion, and thinking, while female entrepreneurs scored higher on measures of planning, goal orientation, intuition, and perceiving. In addition, males and females differed in their beliefs regarding entrepreneurial success. Males, considered financial rewards, recognition, challenges, passion for their businesses, and building relationships with customers with equal preference. Female responses included recognition and passion about their businesses, followed by financial rewards. Personal satisfaction showed the most significant differences. Male and female responses mirrored one another on the quantitative study in descending order: pride, being my own boss, set my own hours, uncapped income potential, and taking time off. However, when participants were given an open choice on the measures of personal satisfaction, none of them chose the choices given in the quantitative study. Male and female responses were mirrored in descending order, interaction with people, seeing a change, competing, and control over their lives. |
