Re-exploring Entrepreneurial Intention and Personality Traits among Tourism and Hospitality Students in a Post-pandemic Era

Resumo

This study aims to extend Ajzen's (1991) theory of planned behavior for a more in-depth analysis of the impact of personality traits on the entrepreneurial intention of tourism and hospitality students in a post-pandemic era. The study also tests the mediation effects of TPB constructs on the link between personality traits and entrepreneurial intention. The convenience sampling technique was used to conduct the online survey in several universities in India to collect the data. A total of 315 valid responses were collected. The data was analyzed using SPSS and AMOS. The results showed that personality traits, especially risk-taking propensity (RTP), locus of control (LOC), and need for achievement (NFA), significantly positively influence the entrepreneurial intention (EI) of tourism and hospitality students. Students with an entrepreneurial family background were found to have higher EI than those who do not have an entrepreneurial family background. Out of all the TPB constructs, it was discovered that attitude mediates the association between RTP and EI, subjective norm mediates the link between RTP, LOC, and NFA with EI, and perceived behavioral control mediates the relationship between LOC and NFA with EI. The findings of this study provide valuable insight into the direct and indirect impact of personality traits on the EI of tourism and hospitality students. The study suggests that educators should give students a chance to engage in various learning programs that would reduce the perceived risk of starting their own businesses among students and help raise potential entrepreneurs. This study was conducted in a post-pandemic era which would increase awareness among business educators.