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The contribution of self-efficacy to the relationship between personality traits and entrepreneurial intention

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Abstract

Promoting farming work is crucial for sustainable economic development in Asian-Pacific rural areas. How to promote rural entrepreneurship has recently become a critical issue in agricultural education. This article reports the results of two subsequent studies. The first study confirmed the factor structures of the five-factor model of personality, the general self-efficacy scale, and the entrepreneurial intention scale. The second study tested the mediating effect of self-efficacy on the relationship between personality traits and entrepreneurial intention among agricultural students. The results indicate that entrepreneurial intention comprises two dimensions: conviction and preparation. Accordingly, the mediation model of self-efficacy is partially supported. Extraversion, openness, conscientiousness, and agreeableness reliably predict both conviction and preparation, whereas neuroticism does not. In addition to the indirect effects, both openness and negative emotion exert a direct effect on entrepreneurial intention in agricultural students.

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Acknowledgments

The current study is part of the research project (NSC 102-2511-S-002-009-MY2) supported by Taiwan’s Ministry of Science and Technology. The authors would like to acknowledge Wei-Sheng Lin for his valuable contributions in statistical analysis. The authors would also like to extend their gratitude to the insightful suggestions of anonymous Higher Education reviewers and the Brain Rhythm Incorporation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Bio-Industry Communication and Development, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan

    Jiun-Hao Wang, Shu-Nung Yao & Chaoyun Liang

  2. Department of Technology Application and Human Resource Development, National Taiwan Normal University, No. 162, Heping East Road Section 1, Taipei, Taiwan

    Chi-Cheng Chang

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  1. Jiun-Hao Wang
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Correspondence to Chaoyun Liang.

Appendix

Appendix

Items of the International English Big-Five Mini-Markers

Factor/item

Extraversion

 1. Shy

2. Talkative

3. Energetic

4. Quiet

 5. Extraverted

6. Outgoing

7. Reserved

8. Untalkative

Openness

 9. Creative

10. Intellectual

11. Unimaginative

12. Artistic

 13. Intelligent

14. Philosophical

15. Deep

16. Uncreative

Neuroticism

 17. Envious

18. Emotional

19. Anxious

20. Unworried

 21. Jealous

22. Unenvious

23. Moody

24. Unanxious

Conscientiousness

 25. Efficient

26. Disorganized

27. Careless

28. Untidy

 29. Neat

30. Inefficient

31. Systematic

32. Organized

Agreeableness

 33. Kind

34. Sympathetic

35. Harsh

36. Cooperative

 37. Unkind

38. Warm

39. Rude

40. Inconsiderate

Items of the entrepreneurial intention scale

Factor/item

Conviction

 1. I will do anything to become an entrepreneur

 2. My professional goal is to become an entrepreneur

 3. I will make every effort to establish and operate my own business

 4. I am seriously considering starting a business

 5. I am determined to become a professional business manager

 6. I am determined to develop my business into a high-growth enterprise

Preparation

 7. I plan to start my own business within 2 years after graduation

 8. I plan to start my own business within 5 years after graduation

 9. I am going to inherit my family’s business in the future

Items of the general self-efficacy scale

Factor/item

General self-efficacy

 1. I can achieve most goals that I set for myself

 2. When working on difficult tasks, I am certain that I will complete them

 3. I can achieve outcomes that are important to me

 4. I believe that I can succeed at most endeavors that I focus on

 5. I can successfully overcome many challenges

 6. I am confident that I can perform effectively in various tasks

 7. Compared with other people, I can perform effectively in most tasks

 8. I can perform effectively in difficult situations

Items of negative emotion

Factor/item

Negative emotion

 1. My intention to do schoolwork is stronger when I feel distressed

 2. My intention to do schoolwork is stronger when I feel ashamed

 3. My intention to do schoolwork is stronger when I feel hostile

 4. My intention to do schoolwork is stronger when I feel nervous

 5. My intention to do schoolwork is stronger when I feel scared

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Wang, JH., Chang, CC., Yao, SN. et al. The contribution of self-efficacy to the relationship between personality traits and entrepreneurial intention. High Educ 72, 209–224 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-015-9946-y

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