The influence of proximity to entrepreneurship support mechanisms on entrepreneurial propensity: the role of gender and big five personality traits

Abstract

This study investigates the role of proximity to entrepreneurial support mechanisms (ESM) on entrepreneurial propensity and the moderating roles of gender and personality traits. Drawing on established theories such as Knowledge Spillover Theory of Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurship Enablement Theory, this study integrates contextual and individual perspectives to explore how environmental factors interact with individual traits and gender to shape entrepreneurial outcomes. Data were collected from 322 participants representing diverse demographic and geographic backgrounds. Multiple regressions conducted using R programming revealed that proximity to ESM significantly boosts entrepreneurial propensity. Cognitive and institutional proximity exhibited the strongest impact, while the geographical, organizational, and social proximities had weaker effects. Gender and personality traits showed no significant moderating role. Adopting a holistic framework, this study addresses gaps in the literature by integrating different factors that shape entrepreneurial propensity. Implications highlight the importance of designing inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems and tailoring support mechanisms to address individual and contextual differences. This study provides a comprehensive model to understand the interaction between proximity to support mechanisms and entrepreneurial propensity, contributing to theory and practice while discussing the implications of the findings and offering recommendations for future research.