Determinants of Entrepreneurial Commitment and Personality Traits: A Study of MSMEs in Virudhunagar District, Tamil Nadu

Abstract

The present study investigates the determinants of entrepreneurial commitment and personality traits among Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Virudhunagar District of Tamil Nadu, India. Entrepreneurship constitutes a vital engine of economic growth, employment generation, and regional development, particularly in emerging economies. However, the psychological and socio-demographic determinants that shape an entrepreneur's commitment and personality remain underexplored in the Indian MSME context. This study aims to identify the key factors influencing entrepreneurial commitment including risk-taking propensity, innovativeness, need for achievement, locus of control, and tolerance for ambiguity and to examine how these personality traits differ across demographic variables such as gender, age, educational qualification, nature of enterprise, and years of experience. A descriptive and analytical research design was adopted. Primary data were collected from 200 MSME entrepreneurs in Virudhunagar District using a structured questionnaire. Stratified random sampling was employed to ensure proportional representation across enterprise categories. Statistical tools including descriptive statistics, chi-square test, one-way ANOVA, exploratory factor analysis, and multiple regression analysis were  applied to analyse the data. The findings reveal that risk-taking propensity and need for achievement are the most significant predictors of entrepreneurial commitment. Personality traits were found to vary significantly by gender and educational level. The study concludes with strategic recommendations for policymakers, financial institutions, and entrepreneurship development organisations to foster a more supportive ecosystem for MSME growth.