Comparing Big Five Personality Traits in Iranian Entrepreneurs and Non-Entrepreneurs
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Objective: Drawing on person–environment fit theory, research shows that entrepreneurs differ systematically from other adults in broad personality traits. However, little is known about these patterns in Iran.
Methods and Materials: In this cross-sectional comparative study, 285 Iranian adults (entrepreneurs and non-entrepreneurs) completed the NEO Personality Inventory–Revised (NEO-PI-R), which assesses the Big Five domains and 30 personality facets. Group differences were examined using univariate and multivariate analyses of variance.
Findings: At the domain level, entrepreneurs scored significantly lower on Neuroticism than non-entrepreneurs, indicating greater emotional stability. Mean scores were higher for Extraversion, Openness to Experience and Conscientiousness, and slightly lower for Agreeableness, although these domain-level differences did not consistently reach statistical significance. Facet-level analyses revealed a more differentiated entrepreneurial profile: entrepreneurs reported lower anxiety, self-consciousness and vulnerability to stress, and higher warmth, assertiveness, activity and positive emotions. They also scored higher on values within Openness and on achievement striving and perceived competence within Conscientiousness, and somewhat lower on modesty within Agreeableness. These findings broadly align with international meta-analyses showing an entrepreneurial pattern of O+, C+, E+, N– and A–, while highlighting culturally embedded nuances in the Iranian context.
Conclusion: The results portray entrepreneurial personality in Iran as emotionally stable, socially agentic, value-driven and achievement-oriented, with distinctive configurations at the level of specific facets. Mapping these traits can inform talent identification, entrepreneurship education and targeted psychological support for prospective and active entrepreneurs in emerging economies.
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