A comparative study of personality traits across gender and location in the IT sector

Abstract

Personality traits play a central role in shaping workplace behavior, adaptability, and performance. Guided by the Five-Factor Model (FFM), the present study examined the distribution of personality traits among information technology (IT) employees, with a focus on gender- and location-based differences. Data were collected from 60 IT professionals working in Bengaluru and Lucknow using the Big Five Personality Inventory (BFI short version). Descriptive statistics and independent-samples t-tests were employed for analysis. Results indicated that the majority of participants were moderate extroverts (70%), suggesting balanced sociability and assertiveness. Gender-based comparisons revealed significant differences in emotional stability and openness to experience, with males scoring higher on both dimensions. No significant gender differences were observed for extraversion, conscientiousness, or agreeableness. Location-based analyses showed no significant differences across any of the five traits, indicating broadly similar personality profiles among IT employees in Bengaluru and Lucknow. These findings suggest that while gender influences certain personality dimensions, regional variations within urban IT sectors are less pronounced. The study contributes to literature on personality and occupational behavior, highlighting implications for organizational practices such as team composition, employee well-being, and talent management. Future research with larger and more diverse samples is recommended to explore broader demographic influences on personality expression in professional contexts.