Big Five personality traits impact on entrepreneurial intention: the mediating role of entrepreneurial alertness

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of the Big Five personality traits on the entrepreneurial intentions of undergrad university students in Jordan. It further investigates the mediating role of entrepreneurial alertness. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative survey method was conducted with a convenience sample of Jordanian university students. A total of 323 valid questionnaires were received and analyzed. A structural equation modeling with partial least square (PLS) is used to analyze data. Findings Results revealed that conscientiousness, openness and alertness were associated with entrepreneurial intention. Extraversion and openness were associated with alertness, while agreeableness and neuroticism were unrelated to either outcome. Finally, alertness mediates the relationship between extraversion and openness with entrepreneurial intention. Originality/value There is a lack of previous studies investigating the relationship between the Big Five personality traits and students’ entrepreneurial intentions in Jordan, particularly the role of mediating variables in this relationship. This study is considered the first one that examined the mediating role of entrepreneurial alertness in the relationship between personality traits and entrepreneurial intentions.