Emotional Intelligence as a Catalyst for Entrepreneurial Drive: Insights from Private Banking Sector

Abstract

Employees and managers have exhibited emotional intelligence, which has emerged as a focal point of discussion in the realm of organizational studies. Therefore, in this research, we seek to examine the impact of emotional intelligence on entrepreneurial intention, while taking into account the mediating role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy. The sample encompasses employees from private banks in Iran. Data were collected from employees of various private banks through a questionnaire. SPSS and SmartPLS were employed to analyze the research data. The research hypotheses were validated using factor analysis and structural equation modeling. The findings showed that there is a significant and positive effect of emotional intelligence on entrepreneurial intention, as well as a similarly significant and positive effect of entrepreneurial self-efficacy on entrepreneurial intention. In addition, entrepreneurship self-efficacy has a significant and positive effect on entrepreneurial intention, and emotional intelligence affects entrepreneurial intention positively via entrepreneurship self-efficacy. These findings have implications for both managers and potential entrepreneurs, who can use them to enhance their emotional intelligence and entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and thus foster their entrepreneurial intention and behavior. Future research direction and limitations were noted.