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ABSTRACT
The DISC assessment categorizes people into four behavioral patterns that reflect their preferred behavior pattern. For female entrepreneurs, one behavioral pattern showed a higher propensity to start a business than the other three patterns.
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this research is to identify the primary personality and behavior patterns of female entrepreneurs and to construct a profile of other factors that characterize female small business owners. The hypothesis is that most female entrepreneurs are from the dominant personality category based on the DISC assessment, and that women with this dominant personality pattern have a higher propensity to start a business.
REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE
Various studies have indicated that personality traits are determined by birth. Bouchard, Lykken, McGue, Segal, and Tellegrin (1990) showed that 50% of the variance in personality traits of identical twins is accounted for by the California Psychological Inventory. Other research provides evidence that from birth individuals have a propensity and innate capacity to be satisfied with specific kinds of behavior. This propensity toward certain types of behavior guides people to select occupations and situations consistent with genetic predispositions (Kendrick & Funder, 1988; Scarr & McCartney, 1983). Furthermore, two longitudinal studies indicated personality and behavioral are stable (House, Howard, & Walker, 1991; Kohn & Schooler, 1982).
Several studies indicate that there are differences between men and women. Using the Meyers Briggs Type Inventory, the Center for Creative Leadership identified four managerial types: the traditionalist, the catalyst, the visionary, and the troubleshooter. The traditionalist is practical, factual, realistic, and not focused on relationships, whereas the catalyst is enthusiastic, good with people and seeks approval from others. The visionary solves problems, is restless, creative, unfulfilled, and not likely to stick with the system. The troubleshooter uses the system and resources and is less likely to be creative. In analyzing these four behavior patterns, researchers in the U.S. and U.K. found 57% of the males came from the traditionalist category and the majority of the females were visionary (Bates & Kiersey, 1984; Margersion & Lewis, 1981; Vinnicombe, 1987). Other studies demonstrate a similar gender basis for many personality traits (Arvey, Bouchard, Segal, & Abraham, 1989; Loehlin & Nichols, 1976). More recent studies that focus on gender differences between female and male business...