Entrepreneurial intention has emerged as a critical determinant of venture creation, particularly among engineering graduates who possess technical competencies essential for innovation-driven economies. However, gender disparities in entrepreneurial intentions remain a persistent concern, especially in developing and transitional economies such as Malaysia. This study develops a comparative analytical framework to examine gender-based differences in entrepreneurial intentions among Malaysian engineering graduates. Grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), the study integrates psychological, educational, and socio-cultural variables to construct a multidimensional analytical model. The methodology adopts a structured conceptual and analytical approach, synthesizing insights from existing empirical literature to identify determinants influencing male and female entrepreneurial intentions. Findings indicate that while both genders exhibit positive attitudes toward entrepreneurship, female graduates face structural and perceptual barriers that weaken intention formation. The study contributes by proposing a gender-sensitive analytical framework that highlights interaction effects among education, perceived behavioral control, and socio-cultural norms. Implications for policy design, curriculum development, and entrepreneurship training are discussed, along with limitations and directions for future research.

Entrepreneurial Intention, Gender Differences, Engineering Graduates, Malaysia

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