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Personal Traits and Digital Entrepreneurship: A Mediation Model Using SmartPLS Data Analysis

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  • Abu Elnasr E. Sobaih

    (The Saudi Investment Bank Scholarly Chair for Investment Awareness Studies, the Deanship of Scientific Research, the Vice Presidency for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
    Management Department, College of Business Administration, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
    Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management, Helwan University, Cairo 12612, Egypt)

  • Ibrahim A. Elshaer

    (The Saudi Investment Bank Scholarly Chair for Investment Awareness Studies, the Deanship of Scientific Research, the Vice Presidency for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
    Management Department, College of Business Administration, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
    Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt)

Abstract

Technological advancements have created a plethora of opportunities for entrepreneurs to develop and extend their business operations. Hence, internet has promoted to the emergence of digital entrepreneurship as a growing form of entrepreneurship among many entrepreneurs, especially digital natives. This research examines to what extent personal traits of digital natives’ impact on their digital entrepreneurship intention. The research examined the direct impact of the big five personal traits, i.e., openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism, on digital entrepreneurship intention and the indirect impact through personal attitude. For this purpose, a pre-examined questionnaire was directed to senior students in computer sciences and information technology colleges at public universities in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The results of structural equation modeling using SmartPLS (version 4) confirmed a direct positive and significant impact of the big five personal traits on personal attitude. However, the results revealed that the impact of the big five personal traits (except agreeableness) on digital entrepreneurship intention were positive but insignificant. Additionally, a mediating effect was confirmed for personal attitude in the link between personal traits and digital entrepreneurship intention among senior students in KSA higher education. The results contributed to the research gap in relation to personal traits and its impact on personal attitude and ultimatly on digital entrepreneurship intention, especially among digital natives. Several impactions were merged and discussed for scholars, policy makers and educators in higher education institutions.

Suggested Citation

  • Abu Elnasr E. Sobaih & Ibrahim A. Elshaer, 2022. "Personal Traits and Digital Entrepreneurship: A Mediation Model Using SmartPLS Data Analysis," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 10(21), pages 1-19, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jmathe:v:10:y:2022:i:21:p:3926-:d:950819
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    Cited by:

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    2. Freddy Marilahimbilu Mgiba & Thozama Mxotwa, 2024. "Communicating Banking Cyber-security Measures, Customer Ethical Concerns, Experience, and Loyalty Intentions: A Developing Economy’s Perspective," International Review of Management and Marketing, Econjournals, vol. 14(3), pages 123-135, May.
    3. Mohamed Ali Shabeeb Ali & Mohammed Abdullah Ammer & Ibrahim A. Elshaer, 2023. "Born to Be Green: Antecedents of Green Entrepreneurship Intentions among Higher Education Students," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-20, April.
    4. Jinbo Zhou & Weiren Cen, 2024. "Digital Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Embeddedness, Knowledge Dynamic Capabilities, and User Entrepreneurial Opportunity Development in China: The Moderating Role of Entrepreneurial Learning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-24, May.
    5. Option Takunda Chiwaridzo, 2024. "The extrication of complex dynamics and the impact of government policies on tourism supply chain behavior for sustainable tourism in Zimbabwe," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(4), pages 3021-3036, August.
    6. Nguyen, Phuong Ngoc-Duy & Nguyen, Huan Hong, 2024. "Unveiling the link between digital entrepreneurship education and intention among university students in an emerging economy," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 203(C).
    7. Minh Pham & Anh Tuyet Thi Nguyen & Duy Thien Tran & Tam Toai Mai & Vinh Trung Nguyen, 2023. "The impact of entrepreneurship knowledge on students' e-entrepreneurial intention formation and the moderating role of technological innovativeness," Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 12(1), pages 1-30, December.
    8. Tamer Ayad & Abu Elnasr E. Sobaih & Ibrahim A. Elshaer, 2022. "University Incubator Support and Entrepreneurial Intention among Tourism Graduates: Mediating Role of Personal Attitude," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-18, December.
    9. Option Takunda Chiwaridzo, 2024. "Fostering sustainable practices in Zimbabwean tourism for firewood energy sustainability and efficiency amid costly renewables, weak policies, scarce electricity, and extensive deforestation," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(4), pages 3840-3858, August.
    10. João M. Lopes & Sofia Gomes & Elisabete Nogueira, 2025. "Educational insights into digital entrepreneurship: the influence of personality and innovation attitudes," Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 14(1), pages 1-24, December.

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