Mediating effect of happiness and resilience between emotional intelligence and small business success

Abstract

Anchored in the theory of productive and happy workers, this study analysed the mediating effect of subjective happiness and resilience between emotional intelligence (EI) and entrepreneurial success. The sample consisted of 152 small entrepreneurs mentored by the Centro de Desarrollo de Negocios (CDN) in Biobio Province, Chile. Three scales previously validated at the national level were applied and linear regression and structural equation models were used to test the different hypotheses. The main results show that there is a partial mediating effect of subjective happiness and resilience on the relationship between EI and business success affecting three indicators of business success: self-perception of success, years of seniority in the company and income level. The practical implications refer to governmental policies to support entrepreneurs, which should consider support and encouragement in psychological domains.