The Big Five personality dimensions and entrepreneurial status: A meta-analytical review.

Abstract

In this study, the authors used meta-analytical techniques to examine the relationship between personality and entrepreneurial status. Personality variables used in previous studies were categorized according to the five-factor model of personality. Results indicate significant differences between entrepreneurs and managers on 4 personality dimensions such that entrepreneurs scored higher on Conscientiousness and Openness to Experience and lower on Neuroticism and Agreeableness. No difference was found for Extraversion. Effect sizes for each personality dimension were small, although the multivariate relationship for the full set of personality variables was moderate (R = .37). Considerable heterogeneity existed for all of the personality variables except Agreeableness, suggesting that future research should explore possible moderators of the personality-entrepreneurial status relationship.

Personality Traits of Entrepreneurs: A Review of Recent Literature

“…Thus, researchers theorize that both the environment and job requirements of an entrepreneur select for individuals who are more open to experience. Zhao and Seibert (2006) suggest that higher conscientiousness is the most significant difference between entrepreneurs and managers (C+). Conscientiousness is a composite of achievement motivation and dependability.…”

Only the lonely? The influence of the spouse on the transition to self-employment

“…In most profound accounts, transition to self-employment is seen as a function of individual desire to master the challenges of founding a new organization and to have control over one 's productivity (e.g. McClelland, 1978;Zhao & Seibert, 2006).…”

Searching for the entrepreneurial personality: New evidence and avenues for further research

“…A growing literature examines the relationship between personality traits and entrepreneurship (see inter alia Brandstätter, 1997;Zhao and Seibert, 2006, Rauch and Frese, 2007, or Caliendo, Fossen, Kritikos, 2011b. This research finds evidence that not only are the above mentioned variables of risk attitudes and need for autonomy important determinants of entrepreneurship but that other personality characteristics are important, too.…”