Personality traits and sustainability-oriented entrepreneurial intention: the moderating effect of gender

Purpose This study examines the impact of the Big Five Personality traits on sustainability-oriented entrepreneurial intentions (SOEI) among undergraduate students. Additionally, it aims to investigate the moderating role of gender in this relationship. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire was distributed among undergraduate students across the business and management faculty using both online and direct methods. Data was collected from 382 students and analyzed using SPSS to generate descriptive statistics, correlation, 2-by-2-way ANOVA, T-independent test, and regression analyses. Findings The results reveal that openness to experience (ß = 0.477, p < 0.001), extraversion (ß = 0.298, p < 0.001), and neuroticism (ß = −0.181, p < 0.05) significantly predict sustainability-oriented entrepreneurial intention, explaining 17.3% of the variance. Agreeableness and consciousness did not affect sustainability-oriented entrepreneurial intention in this study. Moderation analysis further showed that gender has no interaction effect with Big Five traits, indicating that Big Five has no relationship with sustainability-oriented entrepreneurial intention across genders. Practical implications Recommendations to promote sustainability and entrepreneurship among university students are suggested for policymakers, educational institutions, and faculty members. Educational institutions should implement programs that include creativity workshops and revise their academic curriculum to nurture sustainable development values in future graduates. Originality/value The originality of this study lies in its extension of the Theory of Planned Behavior, Social Cognitive Theory, and Career Choice Theory to develop a unique model of the determinants of SOEI. Further, it contributes to the existing literature on gender and SOEI by drawing on insights from social role theory and gender role theory.