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Bright or dark, vain or villainous? How entrepreneurial fitness, Machiavellianism and narcissism relate to entrepreneurial intention

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 June 2023

Sheila K. Hanson Open the ORCID record for Sheila K. Hanson [Opens in a new window] ,
Sean R. Valentine  and
Patrick L. Shultz
Sheila K. Hanson*
Affiliation:
University of North Dakota, Middleton School of Entrepreneurship & Management, Nistler College of Business and Public Administration, 3125 University Avenue, Grand Forks, North Dakota, 58202-9037, ND 58202-8377, USA
Sean R. Valentine
Affiliation:
University of North Dakota, Middleton School of Entrepreneurship & Management, Nistler College of Business and Public Administration, 3125 University Avenue, Grand Forks, North Dakota, 58202-9037, ND 58202-8377, USA
Patrick L. Shultz
Affiliation:
University of North Dakota, Middleton School of Entrepreneurship & Management, Nistler College of Business and Public Administration, 3125 University Avenue, Grand Forks, North Dakota, 58202-9037, ND 58202-8377, USA
*
Corresponding author: Sheila K. Hanson, E-mail: sheila.hanson@und.edu
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Abstract

This study investigates antecedents of entrepreneurial intentions of young adults, the next generation of entrepreneurs. We determine whether aspiring entrepreneurs' positive and dark traits relate to entrepreneurial intentions. Results indicated that entrepreneurial fitness, a second-order construct comprised of multiple positive and bright traits, positively relates to entrepreneurial intention, while the dark traits of Machiavellianism and narcissism differentially relate to entrepreneurial fitness and intention. Narcissism positively relates to entrepreneurial fitness and intention both directly and indirectly. Though Machiavellianism positively and directly relates to entrepreneurial intention, it also negatively and indirectly relates to intention through a negative relationship with entrepreneurial fitness. However, overall, entrepreneurial fitness positively relates with entrepreneurial intention. Findings extend the core model of entrepreneurial intention by concurrently illuminating the adaptive and maladaptive aspects of the dark side of narcissism and Machiavellianism with the bright, positive antecedents of entrepreneurial intention with entrepreneurial fitness. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Keywords

Dark personality traitsentrepreneurial fitnessentrepreneurial intentionentrepreneurial self-efficacy
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Management & Organization , Volume 30 , Issue 1 , January 2024 , pp. 97 - 120
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press in association with Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management

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