Selected personality characteristics of university students of management

Abstract

Research background: Researching the topic of personality profiles of future managers is one of the international challenges. In a global world, it is ideal to find framework for ideally pursuing this profession. Existing studies indicate rather influences of gender or other socio-demographic factors rather than the study programs of university students. Purpose of the article: The aim of the paper is to describe selected personality characteristics of university students in management in comparison with a group of students from other fields at the same university. The following characteristics were measured: a) personality profile based on the Big Five in the field of neuroticism, extraversion, openness to change, conscientiousness and friendliness, and then b) locus of control and c) coping strategies. Methods: Quantitative research was carried out, where a battery of standardized tools was used as a research technique: the standardized NEO-FFI questionnaire describing the above personality traits, the SVF-78 questionnaire measuring coping strategies and the IPC scale questionnaire measuring internal and external locus of control. The questionnaires were administered to a total of 164 management students in České Budějovice (South Bohemian Region). Findings & Value added: From the point of view of NEO-FFI, economists differ in the item conscientiousness (p = 0.005; F = 4.387), which in the case of this field also came out as the most significantly supported characteristic. On the contrary, the property neuroticism was the least represented in the target group. The locus of control of management students differs compared to other fields in the P dimension (p = 0.009; F = 3.868), so these students believe that their situation is managed by rather influential people. No relationship was recorded within coping strategies across disciplines, positive strategies prevail among students.