Do personality traits affect entrepreneurial intention? The mediating role of the theory of planned behavior

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study is to determine the factors affecting entrepreneurial intention by combining the big five personality traits with the theory of planned behavior (TPB). Design/methodology/approach The study was conducted with the use of an online questionnaire. The sample was comprised of 257 students from the business department of a public university in Athens. Findings The results of this study indicated a statistically significant and positive relationship of openness, extraversion, attitude, and perceived behavioral control to entrepreneurial intention. Furthermore, there is a positive relationship of openness, conscientiousness and extraversion towards entrepreneurial intention through perceived behavioral control. Finally, the findings indicated a positive relationship of extraversion with entrepreneurial intention through attitude. Research limitations/implications The findings are limited to a specific student environment and should be replicated across various university settings to reach generalizable conclusions. The sample consists of only Greek students, which is another limitation of the study. The effects of entrepreneurship education vary with different ethnic backgrounds as seen in other studies. Finally, the research did not address the issue of gender or work experience among other variables discussed in other studies. Practical implications Several practical aspects of entrepreneurial intention can be considered, including entrepreneurship education, strategic investment, government and business organizations, mentoring issues and policymaking. This research can assist in various ways, enabling educational institutions to customize entrepreneurship courses, helping students choose suitable courses, aiding policymakers in developing supportive policies, and allowing organizations to identify employees with an entrepreneurial mindset. Originality/value Although the big five personality traits and the Theory of Planned Behavior have been combined in numerous fields such as behavioral economics, psychology, and health behaviors, their integration in studying entrepreneurial intention remains scant. With this approach, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of the factors that affect entrepreneurial intention.