Testing the relationship between personality characteristics, contextual factors and entrepreneurial intentions in a developing country

S. Karimi*, H.J.A. Biemans, Karim Naderi Mahdei, T. Lans, M. Chizari, M. Mulder

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

132 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Drawing upon the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), we developed and tested a conceptual model which integrates both internal personality factors and external contextual factors to determine their associations with motivational factors and entrepreneurial intentions (EIs). We then investigated if the model of EI applies in a developing country, namely Iran. We also set out to identify the most relevant factors for EI within this developing country context. Do distal predictors of EI including personality factors (i.e. need for achievement, risk taking and locus of control) and contextual factors (i.e. perceived barriers and support) significantly relate to EI via proximal predictors including motivational factors (i.e. attitudes towards entrepreneurship and perceived behavioural control [PBC])? Data were collected on 331 students from 7 public universities. The findings support the TPB for EI in Iran. All three motivational factors related to EI, but PBC showed the strongest association, which is different than in developed country contexts. Possible explanations for these differences are discussed. All three personality characteristics indirectly related to EI via the proximal attitudes towards entrepreneurship and PBC. Perceived contextual support and barriers indirectly related to EI via proximal PBC while perceived barriers also directly related to EI.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)227-240
JournalInternational Journal of Psychology
Volume52
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017

Keywords

  • Contextual factors
  • Developing country
  • Entrepreneurial intentions
  • Iran
  • Personality characteristics
  • Theory of planned behaviour

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