Effect of the Big Five Personality Traits on Job Performance in Small and Medium Enterprises in the Takoradi Metropolis

Abstract

The present study sought to analyse the effect of the Big Five personality traits of owner-managers on the job performance of SMEs in the Takoradi Metropolis. Employing the quantitative research methodology and the descriptive research design, 383 small and medium-sized enterprises operating the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis were sample from a population of 115,577, using Krejcie and Morgan’s (1970) table and the stratified sampling technique. Owner-mangers of those small and medium-sized enterprises were the subjects of the study. A questionnaire was the instrument for data collection. The study found that Extraversion, Conscientiousness and Openness to experience had positive and significant relationship with job performance. Contrariwise, Neuroticism and Agreeableness had negative and significant relationship with job performance. The study concluded that owner-managers who score high on Extraversion, Conscientiousness and Openness to experience are likely to be more successful in their businesses. The researcher recommends that government, donors and businessmen who are interested in developing young entrepreneurs should consider individuals who score high on Extraversion, Conscientiousness and Openness to experience.