Title: Entrepreneurial characteristics: insights from undergraduate students in Iran

Authors: Aidin Salamzadeh; Ali Akbar Farjadian; Mahdi Amirabadi; Meisam Modarresi

Addresses: Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran, 16th Street, North Kargar Avenue, Tehran, 1439813141, Iran ' Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran, 16th Street, North Kargar Avenue, Tehran, 1439813141, Iran ' Faculty of Management and Accounting, Allameh Tabatabae'i University, 42 East Shekoufeh Street, Eskandari Avenue, Tehran, 6479-14155, Iran ' Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran, 16th Street, North Kargar Avenue, Tehran, 1439813141, Iran

Abstract: The contributions of entrepreneurial characteristics have been studied by many scholars, each of which in turn would lead to the success of individuals in their entrepreneurial career. In this study, on a random sample of undergraduate students of three universities (n = 422) - majoring in six fields of study were surveyed to measure and compare their selected entrepreneurial characteristics. In this study, eight traits, namely: 1) open mindedness; 2) need for achievement; 3) pragmatism; 4) tolerance of ambiguity; 5) visionary; 6) challenge taking; 7) risk taking; 8) internal locus of control, are used to define the entrepreneurial profile of students. Main focus of the research is on elaborating the relationship between these characteristics and the fields of study of the participant students. Results show the extent to which these two are correlated; and explores the entrepreneurship profile of university students. In sum, the difference between entrepreneurial characteristics and fields of study are suggestive.

Keywords: entrepreneurial characteristics; higher education; Iran; university students; entrepreneurship; fields of study; entrepreneurs.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2014.059471

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2014 Vol.21 No.2, pp.165 - 182

Published online: 31 May 2014 *

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