Vol. 11 No. 4 (2025)
December

Articles

Assessing entrepreneurial emotional intelligence: The development of the emotional intelligence in business questionnaire

Published 2025-12-29

  • Yuliia Fedorova
    • ,
  • Olena Lutsenko
    • ,
  • Anna Pilková
    • ,
  • Juraj Mikuš
    • ,
  • Marian Holienka

Yuliia Fedorova
Comenius University in Bratislava

Olena Lutsenko
Kharkiv Institute of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Sadova St, 11, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Anna Pilková
Comenius University Bratislava

Juraj Mikuš
Comenius University Bratislava

Marian Holienka
Comenius University Bratislava

Abstract

Objective: The article aims to present the ‘Emotional Intelligence in Business‘ (EIB) questionnaire, developed using the four-component 4EI model of emotional intelligence.

Research Design & Methods: The EIB questionnaire is based on the 19 competencies of the 4EI Model, which builds on D. Goleman’s mixed model of emotional intelligence. Its competencies are adapted to the business environment, and allow the identification of 4 components: 1) self-awareness (SA), 2) self-management (SM), 3) social awareness (SocA), and 4) relationship management (RM). One hundred fifty-eight respondents of different ages participated in the EIB questionnaire development procedures during 2020 and 2021. We validated the EIB questionnaire using classical test theory methods. We analysed data in MS Excel, SPSS, FACTOR, and R-Studio using techniques such as exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, Cronbach’s alpha, and non-parametric tests (Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis).

Findings: The EIB questionnaire demonstrates robust psychometric properties, including high measurement accuracy and internal consistency. It also features a distinct factorial structure. Moreover, the tool demonstrates meaningful and theoretically congruent correlations with N.Hall’s Emotional Intelligence Test and D.Lyusin ‘AmIn‘ Questionnaire. The EIB questionnaire comprises 40 statements, each rated on a five-point Likert scale. According to the 4EI model, the EIB questionnaire is a reliable measuring tool for building an entrepreneur’s EI profile.

Implications & Recommendations: The EIB questionnaire allows the building of profiles of entrepreneurs and tracking the dynamics of their EI components: SA, SM, SocA, and RM. Surveys with automatic follow-up recommendations can be easily conducted with the help of the user-friendly chatbot ‘Emotional Intelligence in Business’ specially created in Smart Sender.

Contribution & Value Added: This research offers a valuable tool for measuring EI competencies in the business environment. Based on individual EI profiles, optimising project teams and improving collaboration in entrepreneurship, including online projects, is possible.

Keywords

emotional intelligence (EI), four-component instrumental model of emotional intelligence, 4EI model, Emotional Intelligence in Business Questionnaire (EIB Questionnaire), entrepreneurship

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Author Biography

Yuliia Fedorova

PhD, Associate Professor at the Department of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at Comenius University, Faculty of Management and Associate Professor at V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Ukraine. Her research interests include emotional intelligence and entrepreneurship.

Olena Lutsenko

Doctor of Science (Psychology), professor of the Department of Social-Humanitarian Disciplines of Kharkiv Institute of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (Ukraine). Her research interests include psychological assessment, evolutionary psychology, and psychophysiology.

Anna Pilková

Professor at the Department of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at Comenius University, Faculty of Management. Her research interests include intergenerational entrepreneurship.

Juraj Mikuš

PhD, Assistant Professor at the Department of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at Comenius University, Faculty of Management. His research interests include entrepreneurship, namely inclusive and social entrepreneurship.

Marian Holienka

PhD, Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at Comenius University, Faculty of Management. His research interests include entrepreneurship.

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