Title: Linking the CEO personality and firm performance in micro, small and medium enterprises based in western India: measuring the mediating effect of learning and growth intentions

Authors: Bhajan Lal; Balakrishnan Unny

Addresses: Institute of Management, Nirma University, S G Highway, Ahmedabad – 382481, Gujarat, India ' Institute of Management, Nirma University, S G Highway, Ahmedabad – 382481, Gujarat, India

Abstract: The study of the personality traits is especially relevant in micro, small and medium size enterprises since business process management and improvements is the sole responsibility of the chief executive officer. The learning and growth intentions lead to improvement within the organisation and thereby influence firm performance. The present study aims at identifying the mediating impact of learning and growth intentions on the relationship between personality of the chief executive officer and firm performance. A total of 109 responses from chief executive officers/owners of micro, small and medium size enterprises in the western region of India were analysed to obtain the results of the study. The findings show that the personality of the chief executive officer has an influence on the firm performance and this relationship is fully mediated by learning and growth intentions. The personality traits themselves have varying effects on firm performance.

Keywords: CEO personality; Indian MSME; HEXACO model; learning and growth intention; firm performance; India.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGSB.2023.130312

International Journal of Globalisation and Small Business, 2023 Vol.13 No.3, pp.229 - 246

Received: 11 Jan 2021
Accepted: 26 Nov 2021
Published online: 17 Apr 2023 *