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Personality Trait Differences Between Traditional and Social Entrepreneurs

Smith, R., Bell, Robin ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7325-4277 and Watts, Helen (2014) Personality Trait Differences Between Traditional and Social Entrepreneurs. Social Enterprise Journal, 10 (3). pp. 200-221. ISSN 1750-8614

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Abstract

Purpose
This research seeks to identify personality trait differences between social and traditional entrepreneurs.

Design/Methodology
The Durham Business School’s General Enterprise Tendencies (GET) test was chosen to measure an individual’s entrepreneurial personality. The choice was based on the test’s established use within industry and its ability to measure traits most commonly considered ‘entrepreneurial’ by the extant literature. The test was adapted for this study and distributed to both social and traditional entrepreneurs. The results were then statistically analysed to test for significant differences between the two groups.

Findings
It was found that social entrepreneurs exhibited statistically significantly higher levels of creativity, risk taking, and need for autonomy than traditional entrepreneurs. The results were then discussed critically in light of the literature.

Limitations
The modest sample size was the main limitation of the research. In addition, the sample set was fairly culturally homogeneous. It has been recommended that an additional test be carried out with a larger sample size, consisting of a more culturally diverse range of participants, in order to improve the generalisation of the findings.

Originality/Value
This research provides new insights into personality trait differences between social and traditional entrepreneurs and is particularly useful to those with an interest in entrepreneurial orientation and those interested in the identification and development of social entrepreneurs.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information:

Staff and students at the University of Worcester can access the full-text of the online published article via the official URL. External users should check availability with their local library or Interlibrary Requests Service.

The published version of this article is available as follows:
Smith, R., Bell, R., & Watts, H. (2014). Personality trait differences between traditional and social entrepreneurs.
Social Enterprise Journal, 10(3), 200–221. http://doi.org/10.1108/SEJ-08-2013-0033

Uncontrolled Discrete Keywords: social entrepreneurs, social enterprise, entrepreneurial traits, entrepreneurial orientation, general enterprise tendencies (GET)
Subjects: H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Divisions: College of Business, Psychology and Sport > Worcester Business School
Related URLs:
Depositing User: Robin Bell
Date Deposited: 04 Aug 2015 11:02
Last Modified: 17 Jun 2020 17:07
URI: https://eprints.worc.ac.uk/id/eprint/3825

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