An Examination of the relationship between emotional intelligence and opportunity identification among Small and Medium Sized Enterprises in Kenya

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dc.contributor.authorArale, F. A.
dc.date.accessioned2025-08-19T10:50:11Z
dc.date.available2025-08-19T10:50:11Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.descriptionFull - text thesis
dc.description.abstractEmotional antecedents of opportunity identification have long been neglected by researchers but have become more critical towards the survival and success of entrepreneurs. Indeed, there has been a deficiency in the level of understanding of the manner in which positive and negative emotions influence the identification of opportunities and the variation in these influences amongst novice and experienced entrepreneurs alike. The general objective of the study is to assess the relationship between emotional intelligence and opportunity identification in Small and medium enterprises in Kenya(SME). Its specific objectives include: to determine the effect of self-awareness on opportunity identification in SMEs in Kenya; to examine the impact of social awareness on opportunity identification in SMEs in Kenya; and to ascertain the role of self-management on opportunity identification in SMEs in Kenya. The study was underpinned by the Theory of Multiple Intelligences and the Social Cognitive Theory. It applied the positivism philosophy and a correlational research design. Primary data was collected from 398 individuals (the business owners of 398 firms within the Medium Trader Shop or Retailer Services and Small Trader Shop or Retail Services sector located within the Nairobi CBD using structured questionnaires. The data from the questionnaires was then cleaned, coded, and inserted in the Statistical Package for Social Sciences to facilitate the conduct of both descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. The study established that there is a positive correlation between emotional intelligence dimensions – self-awareness, social awareness, and self-management - and opportunity recognition. The implication is that SME proprietors who are self-aware are more capable of recognising opportunities. The study further established that there is a positive correlation between social awareness and opportunity recognition. This implies that SME proprietors who have higher social awareness are more capable of recognising opportunities. It also established that there is a positive correlation between self-management and opportunity recognition. The implication is that SME proprietors who have good self-management are more capable of recognising opportunities. The study recommends that policymakers and SME regulators expand emotional intelligence training initiatives to support opportunity recognition. Management should also foster emotionally intelligent work environments by enhancing self-awareness and encouraging empathy and adaptability to promote strategic decision-making and entrepreneurial resilience. Additionally, an enhanced focus on self-awareness will ensure the application of self-assessment which enhances the determination of whether conditions are prime for opening new business ventures.
dc.identifier.citationArale, F. A. (2025). An Examination of the relationship between emotional intelligence and opportunity identification among Small and Medium Sized Enterprises in Kenya [Strathmore University]. http://hdl.handle.net/11071/15765
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11071/15765
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherStrathmore University
dc.titleAn Examination of the relationship between emotional intelligence and opportunity identification among Small and Medium Sized Enterprises in Kenya
dc.typeThesis
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