Entrepreneurial intention: is it influenced by personality and gender factors?

Abstract

Studying entrepreneurship is important for global economic development. Throughout history, research has been conducted on the external factors that promote entrepreneurship and little attention has been given to the psychological factors that influence entrepreneurial drive in people. The following study examines the effect of gender and the five major personality traits encompassed in entrepreneurial drive. The sample consisted of 200 university students. The results indicate that there is no significant difference between men and women in relation with entrepreneurial drive. In addition, the study found that the personality traits such as extroversion and openness to new experiences tend to be related with entrepreneurial drive. Contrary to neuroticism, agreeableness and conscientiousness, which did not represent a significant effect on entrepreneurial drive.

Keywords

• Entrepreneurship
• personality
• entrepreneurial drive