The effect of personal traits on entrepreneurial intentions to create small projects

: A moderator role of self-efficacy variable An applied study of a sample of private university students in Basrah

Abstract

The research aims to explore the relationship between university students' personal traits and their entrepreneurial intentions, and it is based on theoretical models such as the Big Five model and entrepreneurship theories. The aim of the research is to determine whether certain traits such as openness to experiences, conscientiousness, extraversion, tolerance, and neuroticism have a direct impact on students' entrepreneurial intentions. The method used in the research includes collecting data through questionnaires distributed to a sample of (205) university students in various majors. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics techniques to evaluate the relationships between personality traits and entrepreneurial intentions. The results indicate a strong positive relationship between openness to experiences and entrepreneurial intentions, which means that students who are characterized by openness to trying new things and creativity tend to show more intentions to start a business. Conscientiousness, which reflects accuracy and persistence, also had a significantly positive effect. The study provides important signals for universities and entrepreneurship support organizations to design training and educational programs that enhance the personal traits that contribute to entrepreneurial success. It can also benefit policy makers in developing educational and economic strategies that encourage entrepreneurship among young people. This research confirms the importance of personal traits as an influential factor in motivating and developing entrepreneurial intentions among university students and provides a framework for further research in this area.