Final answer:
Conscientiousness is linked to the pursuit and success in entrepreneurial goals due to characteristics such as reliability, organization, discipline, and goal-orientation. These traits support effective planning, motivation, perseverance, and focus which are crucial in the development and management of a new business.
Step-by-step explanation:
A meta-analysis revealed that B) Conscientiousness was linked to pursuing entrepreneurial goals such as starting a new business, and to success in those pursuits. Conscientiousness is one of the Big Five personality traits and refers to individuals who are reliable, well-organized, disciplined, and goal-oriented. When applied to entrepreneurship, these characteristics can be critical for success, as they help individuals to plan effectively, stay motivated, persevere through difficulties, and maintain focus on long-term objectives.
Conscientious individuals are more likely to exhibit the consistency and attention to detail required in the early stages of business development. Furthermore, their predilection for structured behavior and efficiency can contribute significantly to the complex processes of managing and growing a new business. This is supported by various studies which have shown a positive correlation between conscientiousness and academic success, which is often extrapolated to other areas requiring similar skill sets, such as business endeavors.