Entrepreneurial Personality: A Configurational Approach

Abstract

Entrepreneurial personality research can be said to be at crossroads as researchers are unable to formulate an approach that has predictive and explanatory powers. The developments in personality research have prompted entrepreneurial personality researchers to suggest a model that is capable of explaining the structure and processes of entrepreneurial personality. The configurational model suggested in this paper draws upon the trait dynamics and the Cognitive-Affective Personality System theory of personality reflecting the features of a total system view of entrepreneurial personality that clearly differentiates the patterns of entrepreneurial and non-entrepreneurial behaviours. Trait theory and the Cognitive-Affective Personality System theory variables delve into the deeper psychological processes to identify the basic structure and the processes of entrepreneurial personality. The configurational dynamics espouse the general pattern of entrepreneurial personality in an interactive and mediating relation among the intraindividual structures including the situation. The configurational dynamics further identify and differentiate the specific entrepreneurial personality constructs that researchers and practitioners frequently refer to.