Personality Traits of Entrepreneurs: A Review of Recent Literature

Sari Pekkala Kerr, William Kerr and Tina Xu

No 24097, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: We review the extensive literature since 2000 on the personality traits of entrepreneurs. We first consider baseline personality traits like the Big-5 model, self-efficacy and innovativeness, locus of control, and the need for achievement. We then consider risk attitudes and goals and aspirations of entrepreneurs. Within each area, we separate studies by the type of entrepreneurial behavior considered: entry into entrepreneurship, performance outcomes, and exit from entrepreneurship. This literature shows common results and many points of disagreement, reflective of the heterogeneous nature of entrepreneurship. We label studies by the type of entrepreneurial population studied (e.g., Main Street vs. those backed by venture capital) to identify interesting and irreducible parts of this heterogeneity, while also identifying places where we anticipate future large-scale research and the growing depth of the field are likely to clarify matters. There are many areas, like how firm performance connects to entrepreneurial personality, that are woefully understudied and ripe for major advances if the appropriate cross-disciplinary ingredients are assembled.

JEL-codes: D03 D81 D86 L26 M13 O3 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017-12
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-bec, nep-ent, nep-ino and nep-sbm
Note: LS PR
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (48)

Published as Sari Pekkala Kerr & William R. Kerr & Tina Xu, 2018. "Personality Traits of Entrepreneurs: A Review of Recent Literature," Foundations and Trends® in Entrepreneurship, vol 14(3), pages 279-356.

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