Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Building Women’s Innovation Capacities Through Undergraduate Experiences

  • Published:
Research in Higher Education Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study examines how collegiate climates and practices can promote innovation capacities among an international longitudinal sample of undergraduate women. Using a pre-test/post-test quantitative design with a reliable and valid dependent measure of innovation capacities, this study employs structural equation modeling to robustly estimate collegiate effects over-and-above students’ entry characteristics and personality traits. Results indicate that curricular practices (e.g., faculty challenge, course-taking patterns) and co-curricular engagement (e.g., connecting experiences) spur the development of innovation capacities among our sample of women. Findings are discussed and implications for theory, research, and practice are provided.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. This study fully and deeply acknowledges the incredible diversity of women’s lived experiences, as well as the manner in which interlocking structures of oppression serve to co-construct intersectional experiences that cannot be extricated from one another (Crenshaw, 1989; Combahee River Collective, 1978). Attuned to these realities, the present study is aimed at challenging existing structures that can inequitably burden women, as well as serve as a foundation for future inquiry and action at the nexus of innovation and distinctive student experiences.

  2. Full information on instrument development can be found in Selznick (2017) and Selznick and Mayhew (2018). By way of validity evidence, Selznick and Mayhew (2018) build a concurrent validity argument using the need for cognition (NFC) scale, which correlates with the innovation capacities measure at r = .405, p < .0.0001 in our sample.

References

  • Abes, E. S., Jones, S. R., & Stewart, D.-L. (2019). Rethinking college student development theory using critical frameworks. Stylus.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allison, P. D. (2002). Missing data. Sage.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Arenius, P., & Minniti, M. (2005). Perceptual variables and nascent entrepreneurship. Small Business Economics, 24(3), 233–247. https://doi.org/10.1007/slll87-005-1984-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arum, R., & Roksa, J. (2011). Academically adrift: Limited learning on college campuses. University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Athayde, R. (2009). Measuring enterprise potential in young people. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 33(2), 481–500.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barber, J. P. (2020). Facilitating the integration of learning: Five research-based practices to help college students connect learning across disciplines and lived experience. Stylus.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barkley, E. F., Cross, K. P., & Major, C. H. (2005). Collaborative learning techniques: A handbook for college faculty. Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • BarNir, A., Watson, W. E., & Hutchins, H. M. (2011). Mediation and moderated mediation in the relationship among role models, self-efficacy, entrepreneurial career intention, and gender. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 41(2), 270–297. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICMSE.2011.6069954

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Battalina, J., Bulter, B., Kimsey, M., Mair, J., Marquis, C., & Seelos, C. (2019). Problem, person, and pathway: A framework for social innovators. In G. George, T. Baker, P. Tracey, & H. Joshi (Eds.), Handbook of inclusive innovation (pp. 61–74). Edward Elgar.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Baxter Magolda, M. B. (2003). Identity and learning: Student affairs’ role in transforming higher education. Journal of College Student Development, 44(2), 231–247. https://doi.org/10.1353/csd.2003.0020

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belenky, M. F., Clinchy, B. M., Goldberger, N. R., & Tarule, J. M. (1986). Women’s ways of knowing: The development of self, voice, and mind (Vol. 15). Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chell, E. (2008). The entrepreneurial personality: A social construction (2nd ed.). Routledge.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Collins, P. H. (2019). Intersectionality as critical social theory. Duke University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Combahee River Collective. (1978). A black feminist statement. In Z. Eisenstein (Ed.), Capitalist patriarchy and the case for social feminism (pp. 210–218). Monthly Review Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crenshaw, K. (1989). Demarginalizing the intersection of race and sex: A black feminist critique of antidiscrimination doctrine, feminist theory, and antiracist politics. University of Chicago Legal Forum, pp. 139–168.

  • Cropley, D., & Cropley, A. (2017). Innovation capacity, organisational culture and gender. European Journal of Innovation Management, 20(3), 493–510. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-12-2016-0120

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dayerizadeh, R., & Sadeghinia, P. (2021, January). Operation: Global action, a high impact practice. In Presented at the annual meeting of the Association of American Colleges & Universities (AACU)

  • de Bruin, A., Brush, C. G., & Welter, F. (2007). Advancing a framework for coherent research on women’s entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 31(3), 323–339. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2007.00176.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DeTienne, D. R., & Chandler, G. N. (2004). Opportunity identification and its role in the entrepreneurial classroom: A pedagogical approach and empirical test. Academy of Management Learning & Education, 3(3), 242–257. https://doi.org/10.5465/amle.2004.14242103

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dilli, S., & Westerhuis, G. (2018). How institutions and gender differences in education shape entrepreneurial activity: A cross-national perspective. Small Business Economics, 51(2), 371–392. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-018-0004-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elam, A. B., Brush, C. G., Greene, P. G., Baumer, B., Dean, M., & Heavlow, R. (2019). Global entrepreneurship monitor: 2018/2019 Women’s entrepreneurship report. Global Entrepreneurship Research Association. https://www.gemconsortium.org/report/gem-20182019-womens-entrepreneurship-report

  • Estrin, S., & Mickiewicz, T. (2011). Institutions and female entrepreneurship. Small Business Economics, 37(4), 397–415. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-011-9373-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • European Commission. (n.d.). What is the EU doing to promote innovation in education? Retrieved May 26, 2020 from https://ec.europa.eu/education/policies/innovation-in-education/about-innovation-in-education_en.

  • Felten, P., & Lambert, L. M. (2020). Relationship-rich education: How human connections drive success in college. Johns Hopkins University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frank, J. (2013). Mitigating against epistemic injustice in educationa l research. Educational Researcher, 42(7), 363–370. https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X12457812

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fornell, C., & Larcker, D. F. (1981). Evaluating structural models with unobservable variables and measurement error. Journal of Marketing Research, 18(1), 39–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gelman, A., & Hill, J. (2006). Data analysis using regression and multilevel/hierarchical models. Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Gilligan, C. (1977). In a different voice: Psychological theory and women’s development. Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gosling, S. D., Rentfrow, P. J., & Swann, W. B., Jr. (2003). A very brief measure of the big five personality domains. Journal of Research in Personality, 37, 504–528.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guzman, J., & Kacperczyk, A. (2019). Gender gap in entrepreneurship. Research Policy, 48(7), 1666–1680. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2019.03.012

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henry, C., Foss, L., & Ahl, H. (2016). Gender and entrepreneurship research: A review of methodological approaches. International Small Business Journal: Researching Entrepreneurship, 34(3), 217–241. https://doi.org/10.1177/0266242614549779

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hernández, E. (2015). What is “good” research? Revealing the paradigmatic tensions in quantitative criticalist work. New Directions for Institutional Research, 163, 93–101. https://doi.org/10.1002/ir.20088

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hu, L. T., & Bentler, P. M. (1999). Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural Equation Modeling: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 6, 1–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huysentruyt, M. (2014). Women's social entrepreneurship and innovation. OECD local economic and employment development (LEED) working papers, 2014/01. https://doi.org/10.1787/5jxzkq2sr7d4-en.

  • Karataş-Özkan, M., & Chell, E. (2015). Gender inequalities in academic innovation and enterprise: A Bourdieuian analysis. British Journal of Management, 26(1), 109–125. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8551.12020

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kazumi, T., & Kawai, N. (2017). Institutional support and women’s entrepreneurial self-efficacy. Asia Pacific Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 11(3), 345–365. https://doi.org/10.1108/APJIE-12-2017-041

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kegan, R. (1982). The evolving self: Problem and process in human development. Harvard University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Kegan, R. (1994). In over our heads: The mental demands of modern life. Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kegan, R. (2009). What “form” transforms? A constructive-developmental approach to transformative learning. In K. Illeris (Ed.), Contemporary theories of learning: Learning theorists…in their own words (pp. 35–52). Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kickul, J., Gundry, L. K., Barbosa, S. D., & Whitcanack, L. (2009). Intuition versus analysis? Testing differential models of cognitive style on entreprenurial self-efficacy and the new venture creation process. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 33(2), 439–453.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • King, P. M., & Baxter Magolda, M. B. (2004). Creating learning partnerships in higher education. In M. Baxter Magolda & P. M. King (Eds.), Learning partnerships: Theory and models of practice to educate for self-authorship (pp. 303–332). Stylus.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kline, R. B. (2015). Princples and practices of structural equation modeling (4th ed.). Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kolek, E. A. (2012). The silent majority: An examination of nonresponse in college student surveys (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from ProQuest/UMI (No. 354953).

  • Langowitz, N., & Minniti, M. (2007). The entrepreneurial propensity of women. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 31(3), 341–364. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2007.00177.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laviolette, E. M., Lefebvre, M. R., & Brunel, O. (2012). The impact of story bound entrepreneurial role models on self-efficacy and entrepreneurial intention. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour and Research, 18(6), 720–742. https://doi.org/10.1108/13552551211268148

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leong, L. Y., Hew, T. S., Tan, G. W. H., & Ooi, K. B. (2013). Predicting the determinants of the NFC-enabled mobile credit card acceptance: A neural networks approach. Expert Systems with Applications, 40, 5604–5620.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leung, K.-Y., Lo, C.-T., Sun, H., & Wong, K.-F. (2012). Factors influencing engineering students’ intention to participate in on-campus entrepreneurial activities. Journal of Entrepreneurship Education, 15, 1–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Loes, C. N. (2019). Applied learning through collaborative educational experiences. New Directions for Higher Education, 188, 13–21. https://doi.org/10.1002/he.20341

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marinova, J., Plantenga, J., & Remery, C. (2016). Gender diversity and firm performance: Evidence from Dutch and Danish boardrooms. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 27(15), 1777–1790. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2015.1079229

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mars, M. M., & Rhoades, G. (2012). Socially oriented student entrepreneurship: A stud of student change agency in the academic capitalism context. Journal of Higher Education, 83(3), 435–459.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mayhew, M. J., Rockenbach, A. N., Bowman, N. A., Seifert, T. A., & Wolniak, G. C. (2016a). How college affects students: 21st century evidence that higher education works (3rd ed.). Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayhew, M. J., Selznick, B. S., Zhang, L., Barnes, A. C., & Mangia, S. (2021). Teaching innovation capacities in undergraduate leadership courses: The influence of a short-term pedagogical intervention. The Journal of Higher Education, 92(6), 877–896. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221546.2021.1876480

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mayhew, M. J., Simonoff, J. S., Baumol, W. J., Selznick, B. S., & Vassallo, S. J. (2016b). Cultivating innovative entrepreneurs for the twenty-first century: A study of U.S. and German students. The Journal of Higher Education, 87(3), 420–455. https://doi.org/10.1353/jhe.2016.0014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mayhew, M. J., Selznick, B. S., Zhang, L., Barnes, A. C., & Staples, B. A. (2019). Examining curricular approaches to developing undergraduates’ innovation capacities. The Journal of Higher Education, 90(4), 563–584. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221546.2018.1513307

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mayhew, M. J., Simonoff, J. S., Baumol, W. J., Wiesenfeld, B. M., & Klein, M. W. (2012). Exploring innovative entrepreneurship and its ties to higher educational experiences. Research in Higher Education, 53, 831–859. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11162-012-9258-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morris, M. H., Webb, J. W., Fu, J., & Singhal, S. (2013). A competency-based perspective on entrepreneurship education: Conceptual and empircal insights. Journal of Small Business Management, 51(3), 352–369.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nijkamp, P. (2003). Entrepreneurship in a modern network economy. Regional Studies, 37(4), 395–405. https://doi.org/10.1080/0034340032000074424

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nilsson, T. (2012). Entrepreneurship education—does it matter? International Journal of Business Management, 7(13), 40–48. https://doi.org/10.5539/ijbm.v7n13p40

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Noguera, M., Alvarez, C., & Urbano, D. (2013). Socio-cultural factors and female entrepreneurship. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 9(2), 183–197. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-013-0251-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nuñez, A.-M. (2017). Flipping the HIS narrative: An HIS positionality. Association of Mexican American Educators Journal, 11(3), 276–295.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nunnally, J., & Bernstein, I. (1994). Psychometric theory (3rd ed.). McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Poysa-Tarhonnen, J., Elen, J., & Tarhonen, P. (2016). Student teams’ development over time: Tracing the relationship between the quality of communication and teams’ performance. Higher Education Research & Development, 35, 787–799.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Poggesi, S., Mari, M., & De Vita, L. (2016). What’s new in female entrepreneurship research? Answers from the literature. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 12(3), 735–764. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-015-0364-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rios-Aguilar, C. (2014). The changing context of critical quantitative inquiry. New Directions for Institutional Research, 158, 95–107. https://doi.org/10.1002/ir.20048

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sánchez Cañizares, S. M., & Fuentes García, F. J. (2010). Gender differences in entrepreneurial attitudes. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal, 29(8), 766–786. https://doi.org/10.1108/02610151011089519

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sanford, N. (1967). Self and society: Social change and individual development. Atherton Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Santos, G., Marques, C. S., & Ferreira, J. J. (2018). A look back over the past 40 years of female entrepreneurship: Mapping knowledge networks. Scientometrics, 115(2), 953–987. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-018-2705-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Selznick, B. S. (2017). Higher education for undergraduate innovation. New York University. Retrieved May 26, 2020 from https://search.proquest.com/docview/1904984247/fulltextPDF/1F5776F99ED8471APQ/7?accountid=9783.

  • Selznick, B. S. (2019). Developing innovators: Preparing twenty-first century graduates for the idea economy. In J. Kinzie, T. L. Trolian, & E. Jach (Eds.), New directions for higher education (Issue 188, pp. 81–90). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/he.20348

  • Selznick, B. S., Dahl, L. S., Youngerman, E., & Mayhew, M. J. (2021a). Equitably linking integrative learning and students’ innovation capacities. Innovative Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10755-021-09570-w

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Selznick, B. S., & Mayhew, M. J. (2018). Measuring undergraduates’ innovation capacities. Research in Higher Education, 59(6), 744–764. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11162-017-9486-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Selznick, B. S., & Mayhew, M. J. (2019). Developing first-year students’ innovation capacities. Review of Higher Education, 42(4), 1607–1634. https://doi.org/10.1353/rhe.2019.0077

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Selznick, B. S., Mayhew, M. J., Zhang, L., & McChesney, E. T. (2021b). Creating an organizational culture in support of innovation education: A Canadian case study. Journal of College Student Development, 62(2), 219–235. https://doi.org/10.1353/csd.2021.0018

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Selznick, B. S., & McCarthy, S. (2020). Toward a theory of social innovation in higher education. Philosophy and Theory in Higher Education, 2(3), 49–70. https://doi.org/10.3726/ptihe032020.0004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shane, S. A. (2003). A general theory of entrepreneurship: The individual-opportunity nexus. Edward Elgar Publishing.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Shinnar, R. S., Giacomin, O., & Janssen, F. (2012). Entrepreneurial perceptions and intentions: The role of gender and culture. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 36(3), 465–493. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2012.00509.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stage, F. K. (2007). Answering critical questions using quantitative data. In New directions for institutional research (Issue 133, pp. 5–16). https://doi.org/10.1002/ir.200

  • Sullivan, D. M., & Meek, W. R. (2012). Gender and entrepreneurship: A review and process model. Journal of Managerial Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1108/02683941211235373

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swayne, N., Selznick, B. S., McCarthy, S., & Fisher, K. A. (2019). Uncoupling innovation and entrepreneurship to improve undergraduate learning. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 26(6/7), 783–796.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swayne, N., Lewis, E., McCarthy, S., Ludwig, P., & Selznick, B. (2021). Identifying and cultivating a transdisciplinary faculty. In Session presented at the annual meeting of the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U).

  • Sweida, G. L., & Reichard, R. J. (2013). Gender stereotyping effects on entrepreneurial self-efficacy and high-growth entrepreneurial intention. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 20(2), 296–313. https://doi.org/10.1108/14626001311326743

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S. (2001). Cleaning up your act: Screening data prior to analysis. In Using multivariate statistics (pp. 61–116). Pearson.

  • Trolian, T. L., & Jach, E. A. (2019). Applied learning in higher education: Conclusions and recommendations for institutional leadership. New Directions for Higher Education, 188, 101–106. https://doi.org/10.1002/he.20350

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wagner, T. (2012). Creating innovators: The making of young people who will change the world. Scribner.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, E. A., Rudy, D., Elam, C., Pfeifle, A., & Straus, R. (2012). Preventing curriculum drift: Sustaining change and building upon innnovation. Annals of Behavioral Science and Medical Education, 18, 23–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, F., Kickul, J., & Marlino, D. (2007). Gender, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and entrepreneurial career intentions: Implications for entrepreneurship education. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 31(3), 387–406. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2007.00179.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wyllie, J. (2018). Colleges have spent big money on innovation centers. Do they work? The Chronicle of Higher Ed. Retrieved May 26, 2020 from https://www.chronicle.com/article/Colleges-Have-Spent-Big-Money/242992.

  • Youngerman, E., & Culver, K. (2019). Problem-based learning (PBL): Real-world applications to foster (inter)disciplinary learning and integration. New Directions for Higher Education, 188, 23–32. https://doi.org/10.1002/he.20342

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zarch, R., Peterfreund, A. R., Cavagnaro, L. C. B., & Fasihuddin, H. (2016, June 26–29). Students as change agents: Leveraging students to infuse innovation & entrepreneurship into the campus ecosystem. ASEE’s 123rd Annual Conference and Exposition, New Orleans, LA, USA. https://doi.org/10.18260/p.25939

  • Zhao, H., & Seibert, S. E. (2006). The big five personality dimensions and entrepreneurial status: A meta-analytical review. Journal of Applied Psychology, 91(2), 259–271.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, H., Hills, G. E., & Seibert, S. E. (2005). The mediating role of self-efficacy in the development of entrepreneurial intentions. Journal of Applied Psychology, 90(6), 1265–1272. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.90.6.1265

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zisser, M. R., Johnson, S. L., Freeman, M. A., & Staudenmaier, P. J. (2019). The relationship between entrepreneurial intent, gender and personality. Gender in Management, 34(8), 665–684. https://doi.org/10.1108/GM-08-2018-0105

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

Funding was provided by Merrifield Family Foundation.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Strategic Leadership Studies, James Madison University, Lakeview Hall, MSC 1505, 298 Port Republic Rd., Harrisonburg, VA, 22807, USA

    Benjamin S. Selznick

  2. Department of Educational Studies, The Ohio State University, 310-G Ramseyer Hall, 29 West Woodruff Ave., Columbus, OH, 43210, USA

    Matthew J. Mayhew & Eric T. McChesney

  3. School of Economics and Management, Shanghai Institute of Technology, 100 Haiquan Rd., Shanghai, 201418, China

    Lini Zhang

Authors
  1. Benjamin S. Selznick
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Matthew J. Mayhew
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Lini Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Eric T. McChesney
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Benjamin S. Selznick.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Selznick, B.S., Mayhew, M.J., Zhang, L. et al. Building Women’s Innovation Capacities Through Undergraduate Experiences. Res High Educ 63, 567–588 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11162-021-09659-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11162-021-09659-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation