Artisan entrepreneurship: a question of personality structure?. Issue 4 (13th April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hoyte, Cherisse
• Is Part Of: International journal of entrepreneurial behaviour & research. Volume 25:Issue 4(2019)
• Page Start: 615
• Page End: 632
• Publication Date: 2018-04-13
• Subjects: Entrepreneurial intention -- Entrepreneurship -- Psychology; Entrepreneurship -- Periodicals; Small business -- Periodicals; 338.04
• DOI: 10.1108/IJEBR-02-2018-0099
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1355-2554

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of culture in artisan entrepreneurship. It is argued that culture plays a critical role in entrepreneurial behaviour as culture is a key determinant of what it means to be a person. The concept of culture is explored from a micro level of analysis therefore, conceptualising culture from the perspective of the individual entrepreneur's personality. The main research question being investigated within this paper is: whether artisan entrepreneurs share common personality traits with other entrepreneur groups, using the five factor model (FFM) of personality as the basis of the conceptual model presented herein. Design/methodology/approach: A literature review on the emerging field of artisan entrepreneurship, followed by a review of the literature on personality theory and entrepreneurship. Then, drawing upon the FFM of personality, a conceptual framework is introduced which proposes a relationship between the Big Five personality traits and four dimensions of artisan entrepreneurship such as cultural heritage, community entrepreneurship, craftsmanship and innovation, developed from concepts derived from extant literature. Findings: The theoretical contribution is in the form of propositions. Four propositions have been formulated around the entrepreneurial personality of artisan business owners for each of the four dimensions: cultural heritage, community entrepreneurship, craftsmanship and innovation. Originality/value: The paper is the first to propose a relationship between the Big Five personality dimensions and the likelihood of starting and/or running a business among an entrepreneur group rather than explaining personality differences among entrepreneur and non-entrepreneur groups. The focus of the paper is specifically on artisan entrepreneurs and it has been proposed that the personality trait of agreeableness is important in the decision to start a cultural-based business. It has also been proposed that artisan entrepreneurs possess personal characteristics of openness to newness and openness to innovation that are integral to regional development.