Identification of Negative and Positive Entrepreneurial Personality Traits - Research Proposal Example

Introduction

The decision to become an entrepreneur demands innovation, competition, and resilience in surviving the struggle of initial set-up. The global rate of entrepreneurship is placed at 9%, where self-employment is also regarded as entrepreneurship (Cubico, et al., 2010). However, while it may be clear that these people encounter challenges, little exists to explain what happens in their minds. Particular groups of people have been shown to be more likely to engage in successful entrepreneurial ventures. Nevertheless, these indications only fuel further debate on whether these traits are inculcated into the individuals or whether they are born with them (Cubico, et al., 2010). In different fields, entrepreneurial profiling receives a scientific approach, considering factors intrinsic and extrinsic to the entrepreneur in determining the possibility of a uniform profile. With the activity spanning across business, economics, psychology, and sociology, the perspectives for this approach are diverse.

Statement of Focus

This project seeks to explore the possibility of there existing a distinct set of cognitive and psychological characteristics in entrepreneurs that distinguish them from the rest of the population.

The importance of this study is based on the theories postulated by previous studies in the same area, and the characteristic samples the studies have implemented. For instance, some of the previous data indicates the possibility of entrepreneurs having strong markers of hyperactivity disorder, otherwise known as the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (Jensen, 2000). In order to make such a conclusion, a wide spectrum of situations would have to be implemented, across an equally wide range of participants. Further, while assessing for the existence of such cognitive problems, the studies may have overlooked other factors in the immediate environment.

Consequently, this study is critical as it will pursue the identification of characteristics without necessarily giving a name to them. With the contents of the study, it will be possible to support previous assertions on the characteristics of entrepreneurs. It will also make a significant contribution to the debate on the possibility of an entrepreneur profile based on natural or inculcated traits.

Research Objectives

The main objective of this project will be establishing the cross-sectional range of cognitive and behavioural characteristics that describe the entrepreneur.

The supporting aims include:

• Establishing whether entrepreneurs have recurrently notable cognitive abilities that exceed those of the normal population
• To distinguish the degree of creative and academic abilities among entrepreneurs
• To assess the normal behavioural responses of entrepreneurs towards everyday challenges
• To determine the chances of entrepreneurs presenting markers of ADHD or other personality disorders, and comparing the same with statistics in the normal population

The study objectives base on existing theory regarding the entrepreneurial traits and their modes of acquisition. Competence theory, for instance, indicates that the combination of motivation, knowledge, capabilities, and characteristics forms the basis for the degree of competence in an individual (Brinkman, 2000). Both the individual and environmental schools of thought in entrepreneurial studies recognize this multiplicity of factors, which end up being both extrinsic and intrinsic to the individuals (Cubico, et al., 2010). As such, the theories emphasize studying aspects such as familial relationships, as well as with other people in teams. The theories also emphasize the social skills of the people, in the context of their motivation and striving for achievement (Caliendo, et al., 2013).

As such, the theories form a basis for the recognition of multi-dimensional exploration of entrepreneurial activity and the individuals. The possibility of characteristics and knowledge intersecting implies that some of the traits may be acquired while others are in-born. Consequently, assessing specific abilities and traits becomes the basis for the research. With the spectrum, one may advance a model that enables comparison of common traits with the rate of success in entrepreneurial ventures.

Research Design

The research design will adopt a cascading framework, beginning with the current understanding of entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurs. Here, current literature on the characteristics of these people and the approaches to defining them will be reviewed. Following the review, it will be possible to identify the common occurrences among the individuals and the distinctive studies.

Consequent sections will apply the implications of the competence theory, as well as borrowing from cognitive theories. The initial review will enable the development of a limited range of characteristics that define the entrepreneur. These traits will form the basis for further exploration, limiting the width of the traits that the study intends to assess. The emphasis is on exploring for both negative and positive traits in the entrepreneurs.

Following the establishment of base traits, the next process will feature identification of study subjects, and the consequent data collection. The analysis will require the use of entrepreneurial assessment tests, which will be identified depending on suitability.

Research Methods

The research will attempt to balance between existing data and new data. Previous studies have also explored the concept of entrepreneurial profiling, and offer a wide range of trait suggestions. Consequently, the results of these studies will be used as secondary data. The exploration of databases on business and entrepreneurial psychology may offer a rich source of information for this process. Further, previous journal articles, books, and possibly websites covering such related content will also offer some data.

On the other hand, the study’s explorative nature will require the provision of new data. Survey questionnaires will be administered, using a limited range of traits for the simplification of the study. The questions presented to participants will be filtered for consistency, with prior determination of conclusions regarding their traits based on the responses received. Due to the limitations of time, an extensive approach may not be appropriate and may leave some phases of the study incomplete.

In the current position, the library facilities will be adequate for research that involves secondary materials. Nevertheless, it is expected that several organizations will feature in the study and offer the spectrum of entrepreneurs. Prior contact before engaging them in the filling of questionnaires will be necessary, enhancing the rate of participation and minimizing the need for alternative respondents once the study begins. Nevertheless, it may be necessary to seek the assistance of the resources of the school in order to access the required respondents. This assistance may take the form of a letter, or additional identification that compels more cooperation.