Volume 12, Issue 1 (3-2025)
J Entrepreneurial Strategies Agric 2025, 12(1): 168-183 |
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Karimi S, Reisi S. (2025). The Effect of Personality Traits on Entrepreneurial Resilience and Subjective Well-Being of Rural Entrepreneurs. J Entrepreneurial Strategies Agric. 12(1), 168-183. doi:10.61186/jea.2024.435
URL: http://jea.sanru.ac.ir/article-1-435-en.html
URL: http://jea.sanru.ac.ir/article-1-435-en.html
1- Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
Abstract: (1597 Views)
Extended Abstract
Background: In recent decades, the concept of entrepreneurial resilience has become a key topic in the literature of entrepreneurship psychology. In environments that are highly dynamic, unstable, and crisis-ridden, having internal psychological resources, such as resilience, emotional stability, and self-awareness, plays a fundamental role in the success, sustainability, and survival of businesses. This is particularly true in rural areas, which often face financial resource limitations, market fluctuations, weak infrastructure, and a lack of institutional support, making the importance of these psychological resources even more evident. In such conditions, entrepreneurs need the ability to cope with failures, adapt to harsh circumstances, and maintain motivation and hope in their entrepreneurial journey. One of the key consequences of possessing these psychological resources is the improvement of mental well-being. Mental well-being, which includes an individual's assessment of quality of life, personal satisfaction, and a sense of meaning in life, not only helps maintain entrepreneurs' motivation and mental health but also plays an essential role in economic success, job satisfaction, and the intention to persist in entrepreneurial activities. On the other hand, the lack of necessary psychological resources can lead to increased stress, burnout, depression, and ultimately premature exit from entrepreneurship. Therefore, understanding the factors influencing resilience and mental well-being in entrepreneurs can offer new insights for policymakers, rural development planners, and designers of educational interventions. In this context, one of the recognized theoretical frameworks is the Conservation of Resources theory, which emphasizes the importance of psychological and personality resources in coping with pressures. Additionally, the resource-based view in strategic management considers individuals' internal characteristics, including personality and resilience, as rare, valuable, inimitable, and non-substitutable resources that can create a sustainable competitive advantage for individuals and organizations. Based on these frameworks, it is expected that individual personality traits may affect the mental well-being of entrepreneurs by influencing psychological resilience. Accordingly, the present study aims to examine the impact of personality traits on entrepreneurial resilience and mental well-being among rural entrepreneurs, and to analyze the mediating role of resilience in this relationship.
Methods: This study is applied in nature and descriptive-survey in terms of the method, using a correlational design. The statistical population consists of rural entrepreneurs from Nahavand County in Hamedan Province. One hundred rural entrepreneurs and business owners were selected using a convenience sampling method, and data were collected through standardized questionnaires. The Ten-Item Personality Inventory (TIPI) was used to measure personality traits. Entrepreneurial resilience was assessed using the Brief Resilience Scale (BRCS), and mental well-being was evaluated using the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with a Partial Least Squares (PLS) approach and SmartPLS software. Before evaluating the structural model, the reliability and validity of the measurement model were examined and confirmed using indicators such as composite reliability, average variance extracted (AVE), and the heterotrait-monotrait ratio (HTMT). Additionally, the Harman’s single factor test was conducted to control for common method bias, which showed no significant bias.
Results: The results of the structural equation modeling analysis show that personality traits, such as conscientiousness, emotional stability, and extraversion, have a significant positive effect on entrepreneurial resilience. These traits also directly and indirectly (through resilience) affect mental well-being. The most significant finding of this study is the confirmation of the partial mediating role of entrepreneurial resilience in the relationship between personality traits and mental well-being. This means that resilience, as a psychological mechanism, partially transfers the impact of personality traits to mental well-being.
Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that personality traits, as valuable internal resources, can enhance entrepreneurs' mental well-being by strengthening psychological resilience. These results align with psychological theories, such as Conservation of Resources theory and the resource-based view, indicating that entrepreneurial resilience can play the role of a valuable, rare, inimitable, and non-substitutable resource. From a practical perspective, the findings can inform the design of educational programs, psychological interventions, and supportive policies for fostering sustainable entrepreneurship in rural areas. Emphasizing resilience training, self-awareness development, personality understanding, and creating opportunities for experiential learning and interaction with experienced entrepreneurs can increase resilience and improve entrepreneurs' mental well-being. Additionally, this research highlights the importance of incorporating psychological assessments into the design and evaluation of entrepreneurship development programs. Tools measuring personality and resilience can help professionals identify at-risk individuals and tailor interventions more effectively. Finally, this study opens avenues for future research. Longitudinal studies can provide a dynamic perspective on how personality and resilience evolve over the entrepreneurial journey. Moreover, comparative studies in different cultural and geographical contexts could enrich our understanding of how the interaction between psychological traits and entrepreneurial outcomes shapes. In sum, this study advances a comprehensive, resource-based approach to entrepreneurship—an approach that recognizes the value of psychological traits not merely as background variables but as active enablers of resilience and well-being. This perspective is especially vital for promoting sustainable and inclusive entrepreneurship in rural and underdeveloped areas.
Background: In recent decades, the concept of entrepreneurial resilience has become a key topic in the literature of entrepreneurship psychology. In environments that are highly dynamic, unstable, and crisis-ridden, having internal psychological resources, such as resilience, emotional stability, and self-awareness, plays a fundamental role in the success, sustainability, and survival of businesses. This is particularly true in rural areas, which often face financial resource limitations, market fluctuations, weak infrastructure, and a lack of institutional support, making the importance of these psychological resources even more evident. In such conditions, entrepreneurs need the ability to cope with failures, adapt to harsh circumstances, and maintain motivation and hope in their entrepreneurial journey. One of the key consequences of possessing these psychological resources is the improvement of mental well-being. Mental well-being, which includes an individual's assessment of quality of life, personal satisfaction, and a sense of meaning in life, not only helps maintain entrepreneurs' motivation and mental health but also plays an essential role in economic success, job satisfaction, and the intention to persist in entrepreneurial activities. On the other hand, the lack of necessary psychological resources can lead to increased stress, burnout, depression, and ultimately premature exit from entrepreneurship. Therefore, understanding the factors influencing resilience and mental well-being in entrepreneurs can offer new insights for policymakers, rural development planners, and designers of educational interventions. In this context, one of the recognized theoretical frameworks is the Conservation of Resources theory, which emphasizes the importance of psychological and personality resources in coping with pressures. Additionally, the resource-based view in strategic management considers individuals' internal characteristics, including personality and resilience, as rare, valuable, inimitable, and non-substitutable resources that can create a sustainable competitive advantage for individuals and organizations. Based on these frameworks, it is expected that individual personality traits may affect the mental well-being of entrepreneurs by influencing psychological resilience. Accordingly, the present study aims to examine the impact of personality traits on entrepreneurial resilience and mental well-being among rural entrepreneurs, and to analyze the mediating role of resilience in this relationship.
Methods: This study is applied in nature and descriptive-survey in terms of the method, using a correlational design. The statistical population consists of rural entrepreneurs from Nahavand County in Hamedan Province. One hundred rural entrepreneurs and business owners were selected using a convenience sampling method, and data were collected through standardized questionnaires. The Ten-Item Personality Inventory (TIPI) was used to measure personality traits. Entrepreneurial resilience was assessed using the Brief Resilience Scale (BRCS), and mental well-being was evaluated using the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with a Partial Least Squares (PLS) approach and SmartPLS software. Before evaluating the structural model, the reliability and validity of the measurement model were examined and confirmed using indicators such as composite reliability, average variance extracted (AVE), and the heterotrait-monotrait ratio (HTMT). Additionally, the Harman’s single factor test was conducted to control for common method bias, which showed no significant bias.
Results: The results of the structural equation modeling analysis show that personality traits, such as conscientiousness, emotional stability, and extraversion, have a significant positive effect on entrepreneurial resilience. These traits also directly and indirectly (through resilience) affect mental well-being. The most significant finding of this study is the confirmation of the partial mediating role of entrepreneurial resilience in the relationship between personality traits and mental well-being. This means that resilience, as a psychological mechanism, partially transfers the impact of personality traits to mental well-being.
Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that personality traits, as valuable internal resources, can enhance entrepreneurs' mental well-being by strengthening psychological resilience. These results align with psychological theories, such as Conservation of Resources theory and the resource-based view, indicating that entrepreneurial resilience can play the role of a valuable, rare, inimitable, and non-substitutable resource. From a practical perspective, the findings can inform the design of educational programs, psychological interventions, and supportive policies for fostering sustainable entrepreneurship in rural areas. Emphasizing resilience training, self-awareness development, personality understanding, and creating opportunities for experiential learning and interaction with experienced entrepreneurs can increase resilience and improve entrepreneurs' mental well-being. Additionally, this research highlights the importance of incorporating psychological assessments into the design and evaluation of entrepreneurship development programs. Tools measuring personality and resilience can help professionals identify at-risk individuals and tailor interventions more effectively. Finally, this study opens avenues for future research. Longitudinal studies can provide a dynamic perspective on how personality and resilience evolve over the entrepreneurial journey. Moreover, comparative studies in different cultural and geographical contexts could enrich our understanding of how the interaction between psychological traits and entrepreneurial outcomes shapes. In sum, this study advances a comprehensive, resource-based approach to entrepreneurship—an approach that recognizes the value of psychological traits not merely as background variables but as active enablers of resilience and well-being. This perspective is especially vital for promoting sustainable and inclusive entrepreneurship in rural and underdeveloped areas.
Keywords: Conservation of Resources Theory, Life Satisfaction, Mental Health, Psychological Resources, Resource-Based View, Rural Entrepreneurship
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