Understanding personality typologies in the built environment through a systematic literature review
List of Authors
  • Huang Shin Fui, Sia Mal Kong, Wong Foo Yeu

Keyword
  • AEC Industry, Built Environment, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Personality, Systematic Literature Review

Abstract
  • Numerous studies have revealed the personality impacts on career development variables, including career choices, vocational interests, career decision-making and work satisfaction. Despite these advancements, a gap remains in understanding how personality differences impact the construction industry. This paper aims to synthesise research on personality typologies in the built environment by utilising Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) as a framework. A systematic literature review, guided by the PRISMA 2020 flowchart, analysed 14 scholarly articles. This paper identified a composite profile of effective personality preferences across various built environment roles, including architects, interior designers, project managers, engineers, general construction workers and built environment undergraduates. The findings indicated that individuals in built environment predominantly exhibit Extroversion (E), Thinking (T) and Judging (J) traits. Certain personality types, such as ISTJ and ESTJ were the most frequently observed personality types across the built environment, while ENTP, INFP, ESFJ, ISFJ and ISFP were less common. The greatest difference across construction disciplines were found in their preferences for information-gathering, namely the Sensing/Intuition (S/N) dimension. The implications of these similarities and differences are discussed in both organisational and academic settings. The review also examined how these personality preferences affect teamwork and leadership, project management success, academic performance, work productivity, safety behaviour and risk preferences, creativity and career decision-making. Assuming that certain personality types can be attracted to a certain field or profession, the implications of these findings extend to practical applications for employers in retaining individuals with specific personality types. This paper contributes significantly to the temporal development of personality research by elucidating the personality distribution in the built environment over the past decade (2013-2023). This paper also demonstrates the utility of MBTI as a personality assessment tool in guiding undergraduates seeking alignment with their professional interests.

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