Conceptualizing the influence of personality and cognitive traits on project managers’ risk-taking behaviour

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the existing project management literature by conceptualizing the influence of personality and cognitive traits on project managers’ risk-taking behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on an in-depth analysis of the existing literature to develop framework for conceptualizing risk propensity in project management.

Findings

The results indicate that the Big Five personality traits cannot capture risk propensity in risk-taking behaviour on their own. Cognitive traits are indispensable components in risk propensity.

Research limitations/implications

The paper examines the association between risk propensity theories and personality traits. The paper framed project managers’ personality traits that can impact their tendency to take risky decisions, that is risk propensity.

Originality/value

This paper expands literature by increasing our understanding of personality and cognitive traits in risk propensity.

Citation

Rashid, A. and Boussabiane, H. (2021), "Conceptualizing the influence of personality and cognitive traits on project managers’ risk-taking behaviour", International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, Vol. 14 No. 2, pp. 472-496. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMPB-11-2017-0138