The Dark Triad and Entrepreneurial Intentions among Nigerian University Students

Abstract

The primary objective of this study was examine relationship between the Dark Triad (DT) and Entrepreneurial Intentions (EI) among undergraduate students of a government owned University in Nigeria. To achieve this objective 154 undergraduate students were randomly selected from different departments, within the faculty of management sciences and the questionnaire administered on them. The DT were measured using The Short Dark Triad (SD3) and EI was measured with questions from the Entrepreneurial Intention Questionnaire (EIQ). Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. Our results indicated while there was a high level of EI and moderate levels of Machiavellianism and narcissism among the students, there was however no correlation between the DT and EI. The implications of the findings for entrepreneurship in Nigeria and similar environments were discussed. We conclude that most individuals engage in entrepreneurship out of necessity rather than selfish interests and recommend that budding entrepreneurs prepare themselves adequately before starting any venture.