The Mediating Role of Career Adaptability and Entrepreneurial Self-efficacy between Personality Traits and Entrepreneurial Intentions

Based on the Career Construction Theory, the Theory of Planned Behavior and prior personality studies, the main purpose of this research was to examine the mediating role of career adaptability and entrepreneurial self-efficacy between personality traits (Five-Factor Model personality traits) and entrepreneurial intentions. The study population was including 1300 senior bachelor agriculture students at Bu-Ali Sina University and Arak University. According to the table of Krejcie and Morgan, 341 of them were selected through proportional stratified sampling. A questionnaire was used to collect data. The content and face validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by a panel of experts and its reliability was confirmed by evaluating measurement model and using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Data were then analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modelling by the help of Smart PLS 3.0 software. The results indicated that entrepreneurial self-efficacy completely mediated the relations among career adaptability, personality traits (openness and conscientiousness) and entrepreneurial intentions. The results also showed that there were positive relations among personality traits (openness and conscientiousness) and career adaptability. However, the direct effects of personality traits and career adaptability on entrepreneurial intentions were not supported by the results. Theoretical and practical implications for developing entrepreneurial self-efficacy, intentions and career adaptability are discussed.