Exploring the nexus of personality traits, self-efficacy, and entrepreneurial intention: A study of university students

Abstract

This is imperative to study the impact of personality traits on entrepreneurial intention within the Indian context for understanding various emerging economic issues. The present study offers insightful information about the variables that influence the entrepreneurial intentions of students of Indian educational institutions. The primary data for the present study has been collected from the students related to variables of the study where self-efficacy acts as a mediator between extraversion, agreeableness, openness, and entrepreneurial intention. As per the literature review, a theoretical model has been developed for the present study, and structural equation modeling (SEM) has been applied to understand the interactions between the variables. This study offers a distinctive value addition by examining the mediating role of self-efficacy between personality traits and entrepreneurial intention in the context of a developing economy. The findings reveal that self-efficacy significantly emphasizes the determinants of entrepreneurial intention, highlighting the strong influence of extroversion and openness on entrepreneurial intention. As a practical implication, the results suggest that Indian educational institutions should develop robust entrepreneurship education programs emphasizing content and practical activities aligned with social and cultural norms that value entrepreneurship.