The impact of personality traits on entrepreneurial self-efficacy and intention among private university students: Gender as a moderating variable

Abstract

This study aims to explore the impact of different personality traits among students in private universities on the relationship between their Entrepreneurial Self-efficacy (ESE) and Entrepreneurial Intentions (EI) with gender as the moderating variable. This quantitative research collects data from six private comprehensive universities' undergraduate students in Chengdu through a questionnaire survey and analyzes it using structural equation modeling (SEM).  Personality traits play a significant role in the relationship between ESE and EI with conscientiousness and neuroticism having the most significant impact. Gender shows significant differences in the moderating effect of different personality traits on the relationship between ESE and EI with women showing a more significant enhancement of entrepreneurial intention in the context of high entrepreneurial self-efficacy. The findings provide a theoretical basis and empirical support for improving the effectiveness of entrepreneurship education in private universities and propose targeted educational strategies.