Article Details
Vol. 2 No. 3 (2026): February
Applying the Trait-Factor Theory to Promote Entrepreneurial Career Choices: A Framework for Vocational Guidance in Undergraduate Education
Abstract
Purpose This paper examines the adaptation of Trait-Factor Theory for entrepreneurial career guidance in undergraduate education, focusing on the alignment of students' personal traits with suitable entrepreneurial paths in a rapidly changing economic landscape.
Research Methodology: The study utilizes a qualitative approach, analyzing Trait-Factor Theory’s application through literature review and case studies of institutions integrating entrepreneurial guidance into their curricula.
Results: Findings indicate that assessing personality, cognitive, motivational, and behavioral factors help personalize career paths for students. The study highlights the importance of a tailored matching system that aligns students’ traits with entrepreneurial opportunities, boosting their potential for success in entrepreneurship.
Conclusions: The study concludes that adapting Trait-Factor Theory to entrepreneurship education enhances individualized support for students, equipping them to navigate the complexities of modern entrepreneurship. It suggests incorporating experiential learning and curriculum integration for effective career guidance.
Limitations: Limitations include the qualitative nature of the research, based on selected case studies, which may not fully represent global undergraduate programs. Additionally, the traditional Trait-Factor Theory may need further adjustments to meet the evolving needs of entrepreneurial education.
Contributions: This paper contributes by proposing a revised application of Trait-Factor Theory in entrepreneurship education, emphasizing a developmental, inclusive, and context-sensitive approach. It advocates for continuous program evaluation and cross-sector collaboration to better prepare students for entrepreneurship.
Keywords
How to Cite
Download Citation
References
- Akkermans, J., Paradniké, K., Van der Heijden, B. I., & De Vos, A. (2018). The best of both worlds: The role of career adaptability and career competencies in students’ well-being and performance. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 1-13. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01678
- Amanso, E. O. I., & Owan, V. J. (2025). Ethics in educational assessment: emerging issues, controversies, and best practices. Global Journal of Educational Research, 24, 449-469. doi:https://doi.org/10.4314/gjedr.v24i4.4
- Andriyana, A. S., & Purwana, D. (2025). The effect of entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial mindset on students' ability to innovate with creativity as a mediation variable in the entrepreneurial independence program of Jakarta State University. Journal of Digital Business and Global Economy, 1(3), 1-14. doi:https://doi.org/10.64243/JODIGBI.01.3.05
- Azhenov, A., Kudysheva, A., Fominykh, N., & Tulekova, G. (2023). Career decision-making readiness among students’ in the system of higher education: career course intervention. Paper presented at the Frontiers in Education.
- Bagaskara, R. S., Nurochim, H. F. G. I., Susilowati, D., Pramesti, H., & Agustin, N. N. (2024). Exploring vocational interest measurement instruments in Indonesia: Insights from a scoping review. Jurnal Psikologi, 51(3), 272-296. doi:https://doi.org/10.22146/jpsi.101309
- Balla, J., & Hagger, M. S. (2025). Protection motivation theory and health behaviour: conceptual review, discussion of limitations, and recommendations for best practice and future research. Health psychology review, 19(1), 145-171. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/17437199.2024.2413011
- Branca, E., Vanderstraeten, J., Slabbinck, H., & Maes, I. M. R. (2025a). The impact of entrepreneurial education on key entrepreneurial competencies: A systematic review of learning strategies and tools. The International Journal of Management Education, 23(2), 101-144.
- Branca, E., Vanderstraeten, J., Slabbinck, H., & Maes, I. M. R. (2025b). The impact of entrepreneurial education on key entrepreneurial competencies: A systematic review of learning strategies and tools. The International Journal of Management Education, 23(2), 101144. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2025.101144
- Cacija, L. N., Lovrincevic, M., & Bilic, I. (2023). The role of demographic factors and prior entrepreneurial exposure in shaping the entrepreneurial intentions of young adults: the case of Croatia. Sustainability, 15(6), 5151. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/su15065151
- Cao, Y., Asad, M. M., Wang, L., Naz, A., & Almusharraf, N. (2022). Role of personality traits for entrepreneurial intentions of young entrepreneurs: A case study of higher education institution. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 1-11. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1010412
- Cardella, G. M., Hernández-Sánchez, B. R., Monteiro, A. A., & Sánchez-García, J. C. (2021). Social entrepreneurship research: Intellectual structures and future perspectives. Sustainability, 13(14), 7532. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/su13147532
- Chu, Z., Chen, X., & Yang, J. (2025). Impact of data factor and data integration on economic development: Empirical insights from China. Telecommunications policy, 49(8), 103004. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.telpol.2025.103004
- Crowley, F., & Barlow, P. (2022). Entrepreneurship and social capital: a multi-level analysis. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 28(9), 492-519. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-10-2021-0868
- Damodar, P., Shetty, A., Dsouza, M. P., Prakash, A., & Gudi, N. (2024). Crafting careers through theory-driven interventions: a scoping review of the utility of social cognitive career theory and career maturity inventory. International journal of adolescence and youth, 29(1), 1-22. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/02673843.2024.2308081
- Duong, C. D., Tran, V. T., & St-Jean, É. (2024). Social cognitive career theory and higher education students’ entrepreneurial intention: The role of perceived educational support and perceived entrepreneurial opportunity. Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Innovation, 20(1), 86-102. doi:https://doi.org/10.7341/20242015
- Hägg, G., Kurczewska, A., & Po?ek, J. (2025). A context in mutation: How the gig economy is changing the rules of the game for entrepreneurship? Review of managerial science, 19(11), 3541-3561. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11846-025-00859-0
- Hikmatovna, K. D. (2025). Methods for developing students’ self-awareness and reflective abilities. Global Academy of Multidisciplinary Studies, 2(1), 81-92. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/gams.v2i1.3645
- Jemini Gashi, L., Bërxulli, D., Konjufca, J., & Cakolli, L. (2023). Effectiveness of career guidance workshops on the career self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and career goals of adolescents: an intervention study. International journal of adolescence and youth, 28(1), 690-702. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/02673843.2023.2281421
- Kato, A. I. (2025). Venture capital as a catalyst for innovation and economic growth in emerging economies: A systematic review and future research agenda. Administrative Sciences, 15(11), 405. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15110405
- Konak, A., Kulturel-Konak, S., Schneider, D. R., & Mehta, K. (2025). Enhancing student learning in innovation competitions and programs. European Journal of Engineering Education, 50(2), 360-380. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/03043797.2024.2394945
- Krishna, S. M., & Agrawal, S. (2026). Entrepreneurial intentions: The role of gender and culture in entrepreneurial education. Administrative Sciences, 16(1), 38. doi:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3387/16/1/38#
- Kurjono, K. (2022). Entrepreneurial intentions: between entrepreneurial knowledge, entrepreneurial skills and perceived control behavior. Dinamika Pendidikan, 17(2), 146-163. doi:https://doi.org/10.15294/dp.v17i2.39783
- Mai, K. N., & Thai, Q. H. (2025). Entrepreneurial competencies–A systematic literature review. Journal of International Entrepreneurship, 23(1), 54-130. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10843-024-00356-7
- Malathi, M., & Venugopal, P. (2025). Entrepreneurial intention and engagement in entrepreneurship education. Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 14(1), 88. doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13731-025-00524-6
- Manzi-Puertas, M. A., Agirre-Aramburu, I., & López-Pérez, S. (2024). Navigating the student entrepreneurial journey: Dynamics and interplay of resourceful and innovative behavior. Journal of Business Research, 174, 1-16.
- Mapanga, A., & Faleni, N. (2025). Integrating entrepreneurship education into STEM curricula in global South higher education institutions. Discover Education, 4(1), 335. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-025-00798-8
- Maree, J. (2025). Career construction counselling intervention to promote the sense of calling of a disadvantaged black woman. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 53(3), 452-475. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/03069885.2024.2407782
- Mayombe, C. (2025). The role of self-directed learning in enhancing entrepreneurial learning of students in higher education institutions. Education Sciences, 15(5), 629. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15050629
- McGee, J. E., & Peterson, M. (2019). The long?term impact of entrepreneurial self?efficacy and entrepreneurial orientation on venture performance. Journal of Small Business Management, 57(3), 720-737. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/jsbm.12324
- Mubashir, A. S., & Kainaat, R. (2025). Transforming psychometrics: integrating technology, and application in the 21st century Contemporary Psychometrics-New Developments and Applications: IntechOpen.
- Mumi, A., Siewsamdangdet, P., Imsuwan, T., & Muangkhiew, P. (2025). Exploring the impact of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and effectuation on opportunity recognition. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 55(2), 206-225. doi:https://doi.org/10.1504/IJESB.2025.145870
- Narmaditya, B. S., Satrio, Y. D., Qurrata, V. A., & Sahid, S. (2026). Exploring the determinants of entrepreneurial career intention among university graduates: A systematic literature review. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 13, 102515. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2026.102515
- Newman, A., Obschonka, M., Schwarz, S., Cohen, M., & Nielsen, I. (2019). Entrepreneurial self-efficacy: A systematic review of the literature on its theoretical foundations, measurement, antecedents, and outcomes, and an agenda for future research. Journal of vocational behavior, 110, 403-419. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2018.05.012
- Ngaliman, N., Astarina, N., & Catrayasa, I. W. (2025). The influence of motivation, commitment and workload on job satisfaction of regional officials with competency as intervening variable in Regional Financial Agency of Riau Islands Province. Global Academy of Multidisciplinary Studies, 1(2), 89-101. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/gams.v1i2.3379
- Ogujiuba, K., Eggink, M., Ogujiuba, C., & Boshoff, E. (2025). Effect of contextual factors on the entrepreneurial ecosystem in South Africa. World, 6(3), 91. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/world6030091
- Oyeyemi, O. P., Kess-Momoh, A. J., Omotoye, G. B., Bello, B. G., Tula, S. T., & Daraojimba, A. I. (2024). Entrepreneurship in the digital age: A comprehensive review of start-up success factors and technological impact. International Journal of Science and Research Archive, 11(1), 182-191. doi:https://doi.org/10.30574/ijsra.2024.11.1.0030
- Parsons, F. (1909). Choosing a vocation: Houghton Mifflin.
- Parveen, S., Ahmad, B., Saltik, O., & Bekmezci, M. (2025). Women career success as an entrepreneur: the triad of passion, Self-Efficacy, and opportunity recognition. Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research, 15(1), 47. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s40497-025-00468-x
- Perdana, Y., Syahrul, A. R., Sudono, A., Kurnia, D., & Susanto, E. (2025). The gig economy and young graduates' career preferences: Between freelancing and the entrepreneurial mindset. Journal Integration of Management Studies, 3(1), 73-85. doi:https://doi.org/10.58229/jims.v3i1.325
- Politis, D., Gabrielsson, J., Galan, N., & Abebe, S. A. (2019). Entrepreneurial learning in venture acceleration programs. The Learning Organization, 26(6), 588-603. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/TLO-04-2018-0082
- Qizi, S. S. S. (2025). The role of Jadid theater in the development of youth spirituality. Global Academy of Multidisciplinary Studies, 1(4), 227-237. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/gams.v1i4.3548
- Rodriguez-Paz, M. X., Zamora-Hernandez, I., Gonzalez-Mendivil, J. A., & Carrasco, L. H. H. (2025). Enhancing Educational Excellence: A Continuous Improvement Model for Accreditation Success. Paper presented at the 2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition.
- Satar, M., Alharthi, S., Asad, M., Alenazy, A., & Asif, M. U. (2024). The moderating role of entrepreneurial networking between entrepreneurial alertness and the success of entrepreneurial firms. Sustainability, 16(11), 4535. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/su16114535
- Schjoedt, L., & Craig, J. B. (2017). Development and validation of a unidimensional domain-specific entrepreneurial self-efficacy scale. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 23(1), 98-113. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-11-2015-0251
- Shepherd, D. A., & Patzelt, H. (2023). Entrepreneurial Theorizing: An Approach to Research. USA: Springer.
- Stephan, U., Uhlaner, L. M., & Stride, C. (2015). Institutions and social entrepreneurship: The role of institutional voids, institutional support, and institutional configurations. J Int Bus Stud, 46(3), 308-331. doi:https://doi.org/10.1057/jibs.2014.38
- Stockhaus, M., Lundqvist, M., & Williams-Middleton, K. (2026). Shifting tides, stable grounds: balancing career mobility and stability through entrepreneurial competencies. Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, 38(1-2), 75-92. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/08985626.2025.2562227
- Suanpong, K., Yeing-aramkul, Y., Yoochayantee, K., & Tripopsakul, S. (2025). Cognitive and motivational drivers of entrepreneurial intention in an emerging economy: Implications for open innovation dynamics. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 11(2), 100568. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joitmc.2025.100568
- Surin, E. F., Edward, O. T., Shaaran, S., & Ngah, R. (2023). Understanding entrepreneurial orientation based research: A proposed new theoretical framework. Information Management and Business Review, 15(3), 23-35. doi:https://doi.org/10.22610/imbr.v15i3(si).3454
- Ta, H. H., Layeghi, G., Delladio, S., Nguyen, V. H. A., & Caputo, A. (2025). Examining the impact of big five personality traits and digital competencies on digital entrepreneurial intention: the mediating role of digital self-efficacy. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 21(1), 112. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-025-01143-z
- Thalib, N., Suryaningrum, D. H., Prakoso, A., & Hakim, H. (2025). Financial literacy, risk perception, and entrepreneurial decision-making among young entrepreneur in Indonesia. International Journal of Business, Law, and Education, 6(2), 1536-1545. doi:https://doi.org/10.56442/ijble.v6i2.1316
- Thomas, O., & Wulf, T. (2019). Entrepreneurship education and the intention to start a business: the moderating role of cognitive biases. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Venturing, 11(5), 413-439. doi:https://doi.org/10.1504/IJEV.2019.102260
- Tiwari, P., Bhat, A. K., & Tikoria, J. (2017). Predictors of social entrepreneurial intention: an empirical study. South Asian Journal of Business Studies, 6(1), 53-79. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/SAJBS-04-2016-0032
- Tsaknis, P. A., Sahinidis, A. G., Kavoura, A., & Kiriakidis, S. (2025). The differential effects of personality traits and risk aversion on entrepreneurial intention following an entrepreneurship course. Administrative Sciences, 15(2), 53. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15020053
- Wang, X.-H., You, X., Wang, H.-P., Wang, B., Lai, W.-Y., & Su, N. (2023). The effect of entrepreneurship education on entrepreneurial intention: Mediation of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and moderating model of psychological capital. Sustainability, 15(3), 2562. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032562
- Zárate-Torres, R., & Correa, J. C. (2023). How good is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator for predicting leadership-related behaviors? Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 940961. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.940961
- Zhang, J., Talib, M. A., & Wang, J. (2025). Enhancing career adaptability and career decision-making self-efficacy through career planning education: a quasi-experimental study. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1612768. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1612768
- Zunker, V. G. (2016). Career counseling : a holistic approach. California: Boston, MA : Cengage Learning.
License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.