The relationship between Sensory Processing Sensitivity and Entrepreneurship - the moderating role of extraversion, agreeableness and neuroticism

Considerable debate surrounds the influence of personality and character traits on entrepreneurship. It is found that certain traits are advantageous and provide benefits in the execution of some entrepreneurial tasks (Wiklund, Hatak, Patzelts, & Shepherd, 2018). This research reviews the relationships between the character trait Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS), Opportunity Recognition (OR) and Entrepreneurial Intent (EI). Additionally, the moderating role of the Entrepreneurial Trait Profile (ETP), extraversion, agreeableness and neuroticism are researched. Both quantitative and qualitative methods are used. The interviews are conducted in order to understand the null findings of the hypotheses as no relationships have been found between the constructs. Based on the interviews, it is proposed that Highly Sensitive People (HSP) show little initial EI what changes due to the need for self-fulfilment. The ability of OR is argued to be dependent on an optimal number of stimuli. The research discusses several limitations. Keywords: Entrepreneurship, Opportunity Recognition (OR), Entrepreneurial Intent (EI), Entrepreneurial Trait Profile (ETP), Big Five, Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS), information processing.