Young people's emotional intelligence promoting entrepreneurial orientation: enhanced by education

摘要

The present paper aims to investigate the role of emotional intelligence on entrepreneurial orientation as well as reveal the moderating role of entrepreneurship on this relationship. The sample of this study was drawn from university students, studying at graduate and undergraduate levels at social sciences faculties of four different universities in Istanbul. The date collection period started in March 2014 and ended in April 2014. A questionnaire consisting of 85 items and emotional intelligence, and entrepreneurial orientation was developed. The findings imply that there is positive effect of emotional intelligence on entrepreneurial orientation. This relationship is furthermore significantly partially moderated by entrepreneurial education. Findings are discussed with respect to the literature. Implications for education institutions and policy makers to bring forth students' entrepreneurial behaviour and thereby increase entrepreneurship among students are proposed.