An emotional intelligence model of entrepreneurial coping strategies

In this article, we propose that entrepreneurs’ relatively higher EI levels allow them to effectively apply coping strategies better than non-entrepreneurs and that the range of levels of EI among entrepreneurs leads to different entrepreneurs coping differently and having varied levels of coping effectiveness as a result. We present an integrative conceptual model of entrepreneurial coping that includes (1) entrepreneurs’ emotional intelligence as an antecedent that guides the selection of their coping strategies, (2) the process through which entrepreneurs’ EI dimensions actually assist in coping, and (3) the outcome of coping by entrepreneurs. Understanding the role of emotional intelligence in coping with stress by entrepreneurs has theoretical and practical implications which we discuss as well