PERSONALITY TRAITS AND INTRAPRENEURIAL BEHAVIOR AMONG SELECTED SERVICE FIRMS IN LAGOS
Abstract
This study investigates the relationship between personality traits and intrapreneurial behavior in selected service firms in Lagos, Nigeria, with specific emphasis on the Big Five traits: openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. The research adopted a descriptive survey design, focusing on three service firms located in Ikeja, Westcon Africa Distribution, Libra Circle Limited, and Insight Publicis, drawing a representative sample of 72 employees from a total population of 256. The study area, Lagos State, is Nigeria’s commercial hub, and Ikeja, its capital, hosts numerous service-oriented enterprises, making it a fitting location for the study.
Data analysis revealed significant positive correlations between intrapreneurial behavior and three traits: openness (r = .320, p = .000), conscientiousness (r = .323, p = .001), and extraversion (r = .427, p = .000). These findings suggest that employees who are imaginative, disciplined, and outgoing are more likely to engage in innovative and proactive activities within their organizations. In contrast, neuroticism showed a significant negative correlation (r = –.381, p = .002), indicating that emotional instability hinders intrapreneurial tendencies. While agreeableness was statistically significant (r = .050, p = .000), its practical influence on intrapreneurial behavior was minimal.
The study concludes that personality traits significantly influence intrapreneurial behavior in service firms. Organizations are advised to integrate personality profiling into their recruitment and talent development processes to foster a culture of innovation. Tailored training and supportive work environments can further enhance the intrapreneurial potential of employees, particularly by leveraging strengths and addressing limitations associated with specific personality dimensions.
Keywords:Personality Traits, Intrapreneurial Behaviour, Service Firms, Lagos State, Big Five Model
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