Abstract

This study advances the understanding of entrepreneurship in tourism sector of Bangladesh investigating the relationship between entrepreneurial traits and opportunity identification. Drawing on the personality trait theory, we hypothesize the relationships between identification of opportunity and personality traits, like need for achievement, risk-taking propensity, locus of control, self-confidence, tolerance, innovativeness, decision making capability, ability to learn from failure, capacity for hard work, and independence. Personality trait theory has been used to identify the individual determinants of opportunity identification. We also investigate whether the presence of tourism facilities strengthens the hypothesized relationships. Applying a hierarchical regression model with original data collected from a survey of 150 respondents applying convenience sampling strategy, our results reveal that the need for achievement, tolerance, innovativeness, hardworking and independence have a statistically significant relationship with the identification of tourism opportunities. Our results also support that relationship of personality traits (need for achievement, learn from the failure and independence) with opportunity identification is strengthened when tourism facilities are available. The findings enhance our understanding of opportunity recognition in tourism and hospitality industry. Tourism researchers and prospective tourism entrepreneurs will be benefitted from the research findings.

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