The Psychology of an Entrepreneur: An Investigation of Entrepreneurial Motivations, Behaviours and Traits
Abstract
This study aims to identify entrepreneurial behaviours, motivations, and traits
amongst a sample of entrepreneurs based in Edinburgh. This is to determine whether
these attributes are exclusive to the entrepreneurial culture. Behaviour, motivation and
traits have been hotly examined throughout history but a specific focus regarding
entrepreneurs is a reasonably new concept. This study attempts to determine whether
exclusive attributes exist in an entrepreneur culture, and the potential nature of these,
using a qualitative approach.
Interviews were conducted to explore participants’ views and experiences of
entrepreneurial culture. Following this, the observational Rorschach test was given to the
entrepreneurial participants, as well as to a control group consisting of four average
individuals, in order to look for unique entrepreneurial characteristics.
A trend was found in participants’ description of an unknown driving force influencing
new enterprise creation. It became clear that a collection of drives rather than an
individual stimulus is required for such creation. These might be exclusive on a personal
level but not to the entrepreneurial culture as a whole. Entrepreneurial behaviour remains
unspecified as no further evidence was found. Entrepreneurial personality was examined
using the Rorschach test to determine uniqueness, and found an idiosyncratic mindset.
Key words: Entrepreneurial behaviour, entrepreneurial motivation, entrepreneurial traits,
entrepreneurial personality, entrepreneurial mindset.