An Investigation of Emotional Intelligence and Entrepreneurs’ Innovativeness on Business Performance: A Study of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Lagos State, Nigeria

Emotional intelligence and entrepreneurs’ innovativeness is an intricate necessity for any business entity to grow and survive. Nevertheless, the interrelationship among emotional intelligence, entrepreneurs’ innovativeness and business performance in the context of small and medium scale enterprises have been scarcely studied in Nigeria. This study examined the effect of emotional intelligence and entrepreneurs’ innovativeness on business performance of small and medium scale enterprises in Lagos state, Nigeria. To achieve the objective, cross sectional survey research design was used. Multistage sampling consisting of participative and convenience sampling techniques was used in drawing sample for the study. Information was collected from the respondents with the aid of a structured questionnaire. The finding of the study indicates positive and significant relationship among emotional intelligence, entrepreneurs’ innovativeness, and business performance. Similarly, both emotional intelligence and entrepreneurs’ innovativeness individually and collectively influence business performance of small and medium scale enterprises. In addition, emotional intelligence was found to be insignificantly different among male and female entrepreneurs. The study concludes that for small and medium scale entrepreneurs’ to thrive and develop emotional intelligence and innovativeness are critical. The study therefore, recommended that business entrepreneurs’ should develop the necessary emotional intelligence and innovativeness competence to prosper. Keywords: Entrepreneurship, Emotional Intelligence, entrepreneurs’ innovativeness, business performance, and small and medium scale industry