AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION OF DIRECT AND INDIRECT EFFECT OF PERSONALITY TRAITS ON ENTREPRENEURS’ COMMITMENT OF SMES

The uniqueness of individual behaviour and characters determine the personality traits which affects the reaction and the reality of entrepreneurs’ commitment towards their business ventures. This study seeks to find out the effect of the Big Five Personality traits on entrepreneurs’ commitment. 400 copies of questionnaire were administered to practicing entrepreneurs whom were members of a business guild in their annual end of year meeting and award day. 369 copies were duly filled and returned for use. Using statistic package for social science (SPSS 20) and Amos 22, correlation and regression analysis were used to find out the relationship between the two constructs and the strength of the relationship respectively. The Amos path diagram revealed the standardized estimates of the regression coefficient. The findings revealed that extraversion, agreeableness and conscientiousness are positively related with entrepreneurs’ commitment while neuroticism and openness to experience have an inverse relationship. The result indicated that a combination of extraversion, conscientiousness and agreeableness will result to high degree of commitment of the entrepreneurs towards their enterprise. The study recommends that entrepreneurs should identify their unique behaviour and explore ways to improve on their deficiency and get additional skills that will make them more committed and proactive towards issues of their enterprise