| This dissertation was directed toward a concern particularly with the personal characteristics necessary for success in entrepreneurship and examined the existence of these characteristics among black females majoring in business on the collegiate level. Characteristics were examined in this study using the California Psychological Inventory (CPI). Scores of female and male participants were compared with CPI norms for business executives and the general population. To determine if there were significant differences and to identify characteristic areas requiring improvement and appropriate for a curriculum to train women interested in entrepreneurship, t statistics were used. The hypothesis proposed that: (1) Black female college students majoring in business show evidence of the personal requirements necessary for success as entrepreneurs. (2) Black female college students majoring in business display no difference from their male counterparts in the presence of the personal requirements necessary for entrepreneurial success. Statistical analysis of the data upheld the second hypothesis but disproved the first.;Black females in the study scored significantly lower than the business executive norm and below the general population norm on the scales of capacity for status, sense of well-being, responsibility, socialization, self-control, tolerance, communality, achievement via conformance, achievement via independence, intellectual efficiency, good impression, and psychological mindedness. Therefore, the factors examined by these scales require particular attention in terms of development and/or training. The personal factors addressed by these scales, along with the scales of dominance, sociability, social presence, good impression, and flexibility on which females scored below business executives but above the general population norm, should be incorporated in a training model for women interested in entrepreneurship. Emphasis should be placed on the first 12 scales mentioned since females were significantly lower than both the executive and the general population norm on these.;The research findings, according to the California Psychological Inventory Interpretation Manual, indicate that black females in the sample tend to be cautious, overly conforming and conventional, constricted in thought and action, impulsive in behavior, disbelieving, passive, changeable, disorderly, insecure, easily disorganized under stress or pressure, pessimistic about their occupational futures, inhibited, submissive and compliant before authority, lacking self-insight and self-understanding, easy going, unassuming, impatient, self-defensive, lacking self-confidence, unambitious, and influenced by personal bias. The results of the research give implication for personal characteristic components of a training model for females interested in entrepreneurship. Recommended components for a training model include: assertiveness training, self awareness and self discovery methodologies, decision making skills, stress alleviation techniques, and organizing skills. It is recommended that this model be investigated for possible implementation in business school curricula and entrepreneurship programs.;Black males and black females in the study showed no significant difference on the scales of the CPI except for three. One was the Good Impression scale (Gi) where females scored significantly lower than males. The Gi scale however, is a validity scale. Females scored significantly higher than males on the achievement via independence scale and higher on the femininity scale. Females scored only slightly higher than males however, on the achievement via independence scale. |
