Individual Characteristics, Personality Traits, Personal Belief, and Employment in Qatar and Kuwait: An Empirical Analysis

Abstract

This study assesses the impact of personality traits and personal beliefs on employment status (e.g., unpaid employment/unemployment, part-time paid job, full-time paid job, and self-employment) in Qatar and Kuwait. We use data from the World Values Survey to estimate an ordered logit regression. Our findings point to the positive effect on employment status (e.g., self-employment) for hard work and achievement and support for imagination. The internal locus of control is found to have an inverse U-shape relation with employment. The results show that people with higher religiosity favor flexible work environments. This study contributes to the literature by providing a deeper analysis of the impact of these factors. It underscores the importance of considering a multifaceted approach to improve employment opportunities in Qatar and Kuwait. This includes enhancing educational and income levels, recognizing the diverse impacts of personal traits/beliefs, and addressing country-specific economic challenges. It, therefore, provides several solutions and policy recommendations for improving employment/self-employment outcomes.