A comparative benchmark model for SMEs: viable entrepreneur emotional intelligence

Abstract

PurposeBesides small- and medium-sized enterprises' (SMEs) constraints, there is a lack of critical observations of the human capital model naturally inspiring themselves from within. Therefore this paper exposes the factors of emotional intelligence (EI) that make entrepreneurs gain sustainable competitiveness.Design/methodology/approachA data of self-administered survey from 397 SMEs in Malaysia was investigated using regression analysis.FindingsThe results reveal factors of EI comprised of self-confidence, self-innovation, self-inspiration and self-vision that have significant positive impacts on entrepreneurial performance. Amazingly, EI contributes almost 30% of the success, where self-vision and self-innovation are the robust EI to strengthen and sustain entrepreneurial performance. In contrast, self-confidence and self-inspiration are generic EI of human capital and easy to be applied by rivals.Research limitations/implicationsThe study provides a comparative benchmark model for SMEs, managers and entrepreneurs inspiring themselves from within that they can emulate and attain the same success. SMEs can obtain success by investing and culturing EI factors within themselves.Practical implicationsThe study provides a comparative benchmark model for SMEs and managers inspiring themselves from within and expands the theory of heterogeneous SMEs and the human capital to sustainable business and competitiveness. SMEs can obtain success through capitalizing human capital attributes within themselves.Originality/valueThe study is the first providing the viable model for SMEs or entrepreneurs leading themselves from within, to their action, behaviour, decision and achievement or the performance mechanism with a benchmark model of entrepreneur EI as a booster.