Impact of dark tetrad personality traits on nascent entrepreneurial behavior: the mediating role of entrepreneurial intention

Purpose: The goal of this research is to identify whether the Coronavirus pandemic has influenced students’ entrepreneurial behavior and perceived university support in a public university in Brazil. Methodology: This study used Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to assess the survey answered by 508 Business Administration students. Findings: Results reassured the positive relationship amongst Perceived University Support, Entrepreneurial Intention and Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy. Considering students’ perceptions of such elements prior and during the confinement, the relationship amongst Perceived University Support, Entrepreneurial Intention and Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy did not present significant changes. Originality: This study contributes to the discussion of lockdowns and quarantines repercussions in entrepreneurial behavior and education, since this period has brought uncertainties in economic, social and health scenarios. This period of instability also raises discussions concerning technological resources and related initiatives, highlighting a necessity of innovative ideas and solutions. Moreover, these results may also offer support for professors and pedagogical staff in the disciplines remake and university environments. Social/management contributions: The discussion around lockdowns and quarantines repercussions is broaden, especially in the field of entrepreneurship. Educational institutions have the opportunity to invest even more in the university environment to support entrepreneurship, preparing the student for the opportunities and new scenarios that will arise and that will be necessary for the economic recovery.

The extent to which entrepreneurship education and exposure to role models influence the antecedents of entrepreneurial intention, entrepreneurial intention, and subsequent entrepreneurial behaviour has yielded mixed results in prior research. Furthermore, limited attention has been given to the role of risk-taking propensity in shaping attitude towards behaviour and perceived behavioural control within the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) framework. To address these gaps, this study investigates the influence of entrepreneurship education and role models on the antecedents of entrepreneurial intention, entrepreneurial intention, and entrepreneurial behaviour, drawing on the TPB. In addition, the study examines the effect of risk-taking propensity on both attitude towards behaviour and perceived behavioural control, the relationships between the TPB antecedents and entrepreneurial intention, as well as the direct effects of perceived behavioural control and entrepreneurial intention on entrepreneurial behaviour. Data were collected from 496 final-year diploma students enrolled at a University of Technology and a TVET College in Gauteng, South Africa, using a structured, self-administered online questionnaire. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyse the data and test the hypothesised relationships. The findings revealed that entrepreneurship education significantly influences all the antecedents of entrepreneurial intention but does not have a direct influence on entrepreneurial intention or behaviour. Role models had a significant positive effect on perceived behavioural control, subjective norms, and entrepreneurial behaviour, but no effect on attitude towards behaviour or entrepreneurial intention. Risk-taking propensity had a positive effect on both attitude towards behaviour and perceived behavioural control. Furthermore, attitude towards behaviour and perceived behavioural control significantly predicted entrepreneurial intention, while subjective norms did not. Both entrepreneurial intention and perceived behavioural control exerted a significant direct effect on entrepreneurial behaviour. This study highlights the critical role of entrepreneurship education, exposure to entrepreneurial role models, and risk-taking propensity as drivers of entrepreneurial intention and behaviour.

Stress and anxiety are prominent mental-health issues among students worldwide. The current students of higher education are digital natives who are accustomed to immediate feedback and instant gratifications. Therefore, they are susceptible to stress differently compared to the previous generations. Given the seriousness of the stress-related issue in higher education, this study was conducted to examine the role of dark triad personality (Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy) as a buffer against stress. The socially aversive and interpersonally adaptive nature of dark personality traits makes them ideal candidates for further investigation on the influence of personality on stress. The Dark Triad Dirty Dozen and Perceived Stress Scale were used to collect data from 549 respondents. Data were analyzed in two stages using Partial-Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The study revealed that the only dark triad personality that has a role in the increased level of stress is psychopathy. However, the finding was significant among men but not for women. The current study cannot statistically account for the population of different institutional settings since it only captured samples within higher education institutions in Malaysia. Therefore, future research should be extended to wider populations that cover individuals in certain practices or those with a leadership position in any profession.

The purpose of this study was to review the relationship between dark personality traits and work values in athletes. In total, 261 athletes from various universities in Turkey (179 male and 82 female) voluntarily participated in this study. The participants were administered two scales: the Turkish versions of the Work Values Inventory and the Dark Triad Dirty Dozen. Canonical correlation analysis was used to explore the correlations among variables in the work values and dark personality datasets. The results revealed a negative correlation between work values and the presence of dark personality characteristics. Creativity and achievement were key variables with the largest contribution to the first canonical root in the work values set. Similarly, the variables with the largest contribution to the first canonical root in the dark personality set were Machiavellianism and psychopathy. In addition, achievement and prestige in the work values set and narcissism and psychopathy in the dark personality set were correlated with the second canonical root. While creativity and achievement were negatively correlated with Machiavellianism and psychopathy, narcissism was positively related to prestige and achievement.

This study explores the mediating effect of personality traits in the relationship between entrepreneurial intentions and student academic performance. The sample comprised 175 students from a top-ranked Tamil Nadu, India university. Data was collected using a survey questionnaire as the research instrument. A descriptive research design was employed to understand the variables under investigation comprehensively. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and SPSS v25 was utilized as the statistical analysis tool. This study used the Theory of Planned Behaviour as a theoretical framework to explore the mediating effect of personality traits in the relationship between entrepreneurial intentions and academic performance among university students. The study’s findings revealed essential insights into the relationship between entrepreneurial intentions, personality traits, and academic performance. The results showed that personality traits significantly mediate the relationship between entrepreneurial intentions and academic performance. This finding suggests that a student’s personality traits influence the impact of entrepreneurial intentions on academic performance. Furthermore, the study found that while entrepreneurial intentions did not have a significant direct effect on academic performance, they did have a substantial indirect effect through personality traits. This indicates that personality traits act as a crucial mechanism through which entrepreneurial intentions can influence academic performance among students.

This study explores the mediating effect of personality traits in the relationship between entrepreneurial intentions and student academic performance. The sample comprised 175 students from a top-ranked Tamil Nadu, India university. Data was collected using a survey questionnaire as the research instrument. A descriptive research design was employed to understand the variables under investigation comprehensively. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and SPSS v25 was utilized as the statistical analysis tool. This study used the Theory of Planned Behaviour as a theoretical framework to explore the mediating effect of personality traits in the relationship between entrepreneurial intentions and academic performance among university students. The study's findings revealed essential insights into the relationship between entrepreneurial intentions, personality traits, and academic performance. The results showed that personality traits significantly mediate the relationship between entrepreneurial intentions and academic performance. This finding suggests that a student's personality traits influence the impact of entrepreneurial intentions on academic performance. Furthermore, the study found that while entrepreneurial intentions did not have a significant direct effect on academic performance, they did have a substantial indirect effect through personality traits. This indicates that personality traits act as a crucial mechanism through which entrepreneurial intentions can influence academic performance among students.

This research aims to investigate the influence of entrepreneurship education and the university's entrepreneurial ecosystem on the entrepreneurial intentions of final year students in the city of Medan. The purposive sampling method was used with a sample size of 290 students. This research applies a quantitative approach and is analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Primary and secondary data were collected through distributing questionnaires, and analyzed using SmartPLS 3.0 software. The research results show that entrepreneurship education and the university's entrepreneurial ecosystem have a positive and significant influence on students' entrepreneurial intentions. These findings provide an important contribution to the development of educational strategies and entrepreneurial ecosystems at universities to encourage interest in entrepreneurship among students, which is expected to be an agent of change in reducing unemployment in the city of Medan. Keywords: University Entrepreneurship Ecosystem, Entrepreneurial Intentions, Entrepreneurship Education This research aims to investigate the influence of entrepreneurship education and the university's entrepreneurial ecosystem on the entrepreneurial intentions of final year students in the city of Medan. The purposive sampling method was used with a sample size of 290 students. This research applies a quantitative approach and is analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Primary and secondary data were collected through distributing questionnaires, and analyzed using SmartPLS 3.0 software. The research results show that entrepreneurship education and the university's entrepreneurial ecosystem have a positive and significant influence on students' entrepreneurial intentions. These findings provide an important contribution to the development of educational strategies and entrepreneurial ecosystems at universities to encourage interest in entrepreneurship among students, which is expected to be an agent of change in reducing unemployment in the city of Medan. Keywords: University Entrepreneurship Ecosystem, Entrepreneurial Intentions, Entrepreneurship Education

Theories such as the psychodynamic functions hypothesis, attribution theory, and the just world theory have been used to explain different types of supernatural belief. This study aims to examine “dark” personality traits and how they link to different beliefs using the Dark Tetrad. The Dark Tetrad” comprises narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism. Relationships have been found between dark personality traits and religious belief, but no studies have examined the Dark Triad or Tetrad and paranormal and scientific belief directly. An opportunity sample of 199 participants completed an online survey including scales measuring Dark Tetrad traits, religious and paranormal belief, and belief in science. Path analysis revealed five significant relationships. Belief in psychokinesis was negatively related to Machiavellianism, as was belief in common paranormal perceptions, which was also positively related to psychopathy. Religious belief was negatively related to psychopathy but positively related to sadism. Findings suggest some links between Dark Tetrad traits and elements of supernatural belief. The unexpected positive relationship between religiosity and sadism indicate that religious believers believe in a just world where people get what they deserve. These findings indicate that religious and paranormal experience, and dark personality are avenues for future research.

In recent years, online dating websites, applications, and social media have become increasingly popular tools for finding romantic and/or sexual partners. Individual differences in personality traits predict the use of online dating websites and applications and also influence the motives for their use. Previous work regarding mating strategies in the context of online dating has focused on the Dark Tetrad concept of malevolent personality while ignoring the Light Triad concept of beneficent personality. Light and dark personality traits are not seen as polar opposites as they supplement each other. Thus, the current study aimed to explore the utility of both light (i.e., Faith in Humanity, Humanism, and Kantianism) and dark (i.e., Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy, and sadism) personality traits in predicting mating strategies in the online context. A total of 216 participants, ages 20 to 56, which used online dating sites, apps, and social media for finding partners in the past year, completed an online questionnaire assessing Dark Tetrad traits, Light Triad traits, and mating orientations. Narcissism, psychopathy, and sadism positively correlated, while Faith in Humanity and Kantianism negatively correlated with short-term mating. However, only Faith in Humanity was a significant predictor of short-term mating. As for long-term mating, the results have shown that it is negatively related to psychopathy and sadism, while it is positively related to all Light Triad traits. Faith in Humanity, Humanism, and Kantianism were significant predictors of long-term mating. These findings highlight the utility of the Dark Tetrad and Light Triad traits in mating orientation research.

The study aims to investigate the mediating role of the key components of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) in the relationship between internet entrepreneurial self-efficacy (IESE) and students' entrepreneurial intentions. The sample consisted of engineering students from three major technical universities in Romania (N=900; 380 females; 520 males; Mean age=21.06). Participants completed an online survey assessing internet entrepreneurial self-efficacy and intentions, and the TPB components (attitudes, perceived behavioral control, and subjective norms) related to digital entrepreneurship. Partial least square-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used for data analysis. The results indicate that internet entrepreneurial self-efficacy has an indirect effect on entrepreneurial intentions through attitudes and perceived behavioral control regarding internet entrepreneurship, while subjective norms negatively influence the intention to start businesses in the online environment. These findings suggest that TPB offers valuable insights into the motivational processes underlying entrepreneurial behavior.

This study examined the effect of munificent environment factors on the antecedents of entrepreneurial intention and risk-taking propensity by means of the theory of planned behaviour. The study also assessed the effect of perceived behavioural control and entrepreneurial intention on entrepreneurial behaviour, as well as the moderating role of risk-taking propensity on the association between the antecedents of entrepreneurial intention, entrepreneurial intention, and entrepreneurial behaviour. Data were gathered from 127 SME owners in the Gauteng metropolitan cities of Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg, and Tshwane using a structured self-administered questionnaire. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was employed to test the relationships. Findings revealed the varying effects of the munificent environment factors on the antecedents of entrepreneurial intention and risk-taking propensity. Perceived behavioural control had a significant effect on entrepreneurial intention, while attitude towards behaviour and subjective norms were non-significant. Risk-taking propensity weakened the link between entrepreneurial behaviour and entrepreneurial intention and did not exhibit a significant moderating effect on the association between attitude towards the behaviour and entrepreneurial intention or between subjective norms and entrepreneurial intention. Risk-taking propensity had a significant effect on both entrepreneurial intention and entrepreneurial behaviour. Perceived behavioural control had a direct positive significant effect on entrepreneurial behaviour, whereas entrepreneurial intention did not. Efforts to promote access to entrepreneurial role models and social capital are vital in regard to stimulating risk-taking propensity and entrepreneurial behaviour. Thus, interventions that are directed at the enhancement of perceived behavioural control could help shape the formation of entrepreneurial intentions and stimulate entrepreneurial activity.

Purpose Nowadays in the competitive economy, the field of entrepreneurship and particularly female entrepreneurship is rapidly advancing, and its contribution to the economy is imperative. Consequently, the female business students’ factors and university support factors are imperative to nurture the entrepreneurial intentions, but the literature does not address them at large. Therefore, this study aims to examine the impact of proactive personality, entrepreneurial self-efficacy and perceived university support factors on female student’s entrepreneurial intentions. Design/methodology/approach The data from a total of 306 female students from the business schools of universities of Pakistan is collected through the personal physical-survey questionnaires. The data were then analyzed through Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) technique for results. Findings The results indicate that the proactive personality, entrepreneurial self-efficacy and university support factors are the significant predictors of entrepreneurial intentions of female students. Moreover, the results also support that entrepreneurial self-efficacy partially mediates the relationship between proactive personality and entrepreneurial intentions of female students. Originality/value To the best of authors’ knowledge, the study originality lies in the testing of university support factors and individual personality factors (entrepreneurial self-efficacy and proactive personality) as the predictors of entrepreneurial intentions. Moreover, the present study provides the useful insight for the policymakers in formulating, delivering and evaluating educational policies into the universities for female students.

Entrepreneurship has long been a key driver of economic development across various countries. Investigating the determinants of entrepreneurial behaviour is essential for making a meaningful contribution to sustainable development. This study investigated the determinants of entrepreneurial behaviour among university of technology and TVET college students in South Africa, utilising the modified theory of planned behaviour. Specifically, the study explored how risk-taking propensity, financial and non-financial support, media, and gender influence perceived behavioural control, entrepreneurial intention, and behaviour. Additionally, the study tested the direct effects of perceived behavioural control on both entrepreneurial intention and entrepreneurial behaviour, as well as the direct effect of entrepreneurial intention on entrepreneurial behaviour. An online, structured, self-administered questionnaire was utilised to gather data from 496 finalyear diploma students at a university of technology and a TVET college, using a convenience sampling technique. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was applied to analyse the data and test the postulated hypotheses. The findings revealed that non-financial support positively affected entrepreneurial intention, perceived behavioural control, and entrepreneurial behaviour, while financial support did not. Risk-taking propensity significantly influenced perceived behavioural control, entrepreneurial intention, and entrepreneurial behaviour. The results revealed that the gender was negatively related to perceived behavioural control, and female students exhibited lower perceived behavioural control than their male counterparts. However, gender showed no significant association with entrepreneurial intention or entrepreneurial behaviour. Media had a positive influence on both entrepreneurial intention and perceived behavioural control but did not significantly affect entrepreneurial behaviour. Additionally, both entrepreneurial intention and entrepreneurial behaviour were positively influenced by perceived behavioural control, while entrepreneurial intention also was positively associated with entrepreneurial behaviour. These findings underscore the critical role of fostering a supportive entrepreneurial environment in shaping entrepreneurial behaviour. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers and educators to cultivate an environment that supports students in developing as entrepreneurs. The results can inform policymakers in implementing support interventions aimed at enhancing entrepreneurial capacity among the youth. Promoting entrepreneurship is vital in achieving sustainable development goals through job creation and poverty alleviation.

This study examined the influence of lecturers’ creativity on the entrepreneurial intention of technical college students in Saudi Arabia, applying the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). The study employed a questionnaire, which was completed by 99 technical college students in the study area. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to perform the data analysis and to test the hypotheses. The study’s findings revealed that attitude towards behaviour and perceived behavioural control predicted entrepreneurial intention. They also partially mediated the relationship between lecturers’ creativity and entrepreneurial intention. Finally, entrepreneurial intention was not influenced by subjective norms. This study contributes to the literature by highlighting the significance of lecturers’ creativity in developing entrepreneurial intention by applying the TPB among technical college students. The results could assist stakeholders, such as technical colleges, universities, policymakers and other parties, in establishing a more creative entrepreneurial environment. The study findings further emphasize the need to support creative lecturers capable of improving students’ essential entrepreneurial skills, knowledge, values and competencies. The study was limited to only one technical college in Saudi Arabia with a limited sample size, making it challenging to generalize the results. Future research could investigate individuals’ exact skills and knowledge, supporting and attracting them to enrol in technical college and pursue entrepreneurial business activities.

Cyberbullying is a form of antisocial online behaviors. Perpetration of intentional and repeated harm inflicted through electronic devices is associated with dark personality traits and may be caused by morally impaired reasoning. In the current study, we investigated the associations between the Dark Tetrad (narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, sadism), cybervictimization, and cyberbullying. We also examined the intervening role of moral disengagement in the relationship between the Dark Tetrad and cyberbullying. Two hundred fifty-one adults (72.6% women) participated in an on-line study. Correlational analysis indicated that all dark personality traits were associated with higher cyberbullying and cybervictimization (except narcissism as a predictor of cybervictimization). Moral disengagement was positively related to Machiavellianism, sadism and cybervictimization. Controlled for covariance between the Dark Tetrad traits and cybervictimization, sadism and cybervictimization appeared to be associated with cyberbullying. Moreover, moral disengagement did not account for the associations between the Dark Tetrad and cyberbullying.