Description:
Since entrepreneurial thinking and acting within organizations is increasingly importantfor the success of organizations, entrepreneurial passion is an emerging key constructin the study of organizational behavior. Here we quantify effects of personalitytraits on entrepreneurial passion in organizations, thereby comparing a person- vs.variable-oriented trait approach and testing such effects against alternative explanationmodels (rational choice approach, social learning approach, and social identityapproach). Analyzing data from N = 137 German scientists across two measurementoccasions, structural equation modeling revealed that an entrepreneurial Big Five profile(person-oriented approach), but none of the single Big Five traits (variable-orientedapproach), predicted entrepreneurial passion (which in turn mediated the link betweenthis domain-specific personality profile and entrepreneurial behavior). Likewise, theentrepreneurial personality profile, but not the single Big Five traits, predictedthe simultaneous occurrence of entrepreneurial passion and behavior (passionateentrepreneurial behavior). Interestingly, the alternative explanationmodels (rational choiceapproach, social learning approach, and social identity approach) failed to predictentrepreneurial passion and passionate entrepreneurial behavior. The results suggest thatthe basic entrepreneurial personality character of a person contributes to the shaping ofhis or her entrepreneurial passion, which is relevant for actual entrepreneurial activity.The results thus illustrate how a person-oriented trait approach can inform the study,and concepts of, entrepreneurial passion.