Empowering Aspirations: Investigating Entrepreneurial Intentions of Bangladeshi Gen-Z Female Business Students through the Lens of the Theory of Planned Behavior

Entrepreneurship drives economic growth, but research on entrepreneurial intentions of Gen-Z female business students in Bangladesh is limited. This study investigates the determinants of entrepreneurial intention and its translation into entrepreneurial implementation intention among Gen-Z female students with a business background. A mixed-method approach was employed. Quantitatively, data were collected from 390 female undergraduate business students at four Bangladeshi private universities through a structured questionnaire based on established Theory of Planned Behavior measures. Qualitatively, focus group interviews with 29 students were conducted to enrich understanding of lived experiences. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20, Smart PLS 4.0. Hypothesis testing showed that entrepreneurial attitude, entrepreneurial subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control significantly influence Entrepreneurial Intention. Moreover, ESN influence the ESF. Additionally, EI and ESF were found to positively predict EII. ESF mediated the relationships between EPBC and EII as well as ESN and EII, though the mediation of ESN through EI was not supported. To find out the reason behind this, present study included FGD. Through this, qualitative finding provided deeper insight into contextual realities. Gen-Z female business students in Bangladesh view entrepreneurship as a promising career path aligned with financial independence and empowerment, but Students highlighted financial barriers, cultural resistance, and safety concerns as major obstacles. Practical implications suggest that universities, policymakers, and financial institutions should provide structured entrepreneurial education, funding opportunities, and policy support to empower female students in transforming entrepreneurial aspirations into action.