World Journal of Management

Vol. 5. No. 2. September 2014 Pp. 66 – 77

The Contributing Roles of Emotional Intelligence and Spiritual

Intelligence in Entrepreneurial Innovation and Creativity

Susan Tee Suan Chin*, Kavitha Raman**, Jian Ai Yeow***

and Uchenna C. Eze****

Interest shown on entrepreneurs has been increasing for many years. Researchers are keen to know the behavior and characteristics of successful entrepreneurs. The purpose of this paper is to determine the contributing roles of Emotional Intelligence and Spiritual Intelligence in terms of entrepreneurial innovation and creativity. The study used both quantitative and qualitative approach. A total of 88 entrepreneurs took part in the study which span over a period of 1 year. It was found that successful entrepreneurs had strong levels of “Emotions Direct Cognition” and “Understanding Others Emotions”. In terms of the level of “Spiritual Intelligence”, successful entrepreneurs had high strong connections with many of the elements which included “Discernment”, “Egolessness”, “Freedom”, “Higherself”, “Intuition”, “Joy”, “Practice”, “Purpose” and “Relatedness”. These components are important in creativity and innovation.

Keywords: Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurial Development, Successful Entrepreneurs, Emotional Intelligence, Spiritual Intelligence

Field of Research: Management, Entrepreneurship

1. Introduction To survive in this dynamic and challenging business environment, entrepreneurs need to create and innovate products or services. In their feat to create and innovate these product or services, they must be able to succeed otherwise they will be crushed by their competitors. There have been recent attempts to link Emotional Intelligence (Rhee & White, 2007) and Spiritual Intelligence (Chin, et al., 2012) to successful entrepreneurs. The need to create and innovates products or services is an essential element of being an entrepreneur (Okpara, 2007; Chin, et al., 2012).The purpose of this paper is to link Emotional Intelligence and Spiritual Intelligence to the successful entrepreneurs in terms of their creativity and innovation. It has been emphasized in adding together, “Emotional Intelligence” and “Spiritual Intelligence” are part of the psychosomatic elements that connects with “entrepreneurship” (Javadi, et al., 2012). The nature of this analysis is to search the characteristics of the rapport involving “Emotional Intelligence” and “Spiritual Intelligence” towards not only “Creativity and Innovation” but also towards others aspects of the entrepreneurial skills and abilities which includes “Achievement” and “Opportunism”. Knowing the roles played by Emotional Intelligence and Spiritual Intelligence would definitely improve future entrepreneurs. *Susan Tee Suan Chin, Faculty of Business, Multimedia University, Malaysia, Email : tschin@mmu.edu.my **Kavitha Raman, Faculty of Business, Multimedia University, Malaysia, Email : kavithar@mmu.edu.my ***Jian Ai Yeow, Faculty of Business, Multimedia University, Malaysia, Email : jayeow@mmu.edu.my ****Dr Uchenna C. Eze, Monash University, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia, Email : ucheceze@gmail.com

Chin, Raman, Yeow & Eze

The paper starts with the Introduction. This is where the subject is being highlighted. Thereafter, it is followed by the Literature Review, where the variables are being discussed. In the Methodology section, the sampling plan is described and explained. In Findings and Discussion, the results of the analysis would be interpreted and analyzed. The results would be summarized in the Conclusion section together with the limitations of the study.

2. Literature Review

2.1 Entrepreneurs and Entrepreneurship

An entrepreneur is very much an achievement-orientated individual (Okpara, 2007), they prefer to shoulder the responsibilities that lie before them. Entrepreneurs have been referred to as groups of individuals who are skillful and competent to observe, perceive and appraise business opportunities, drawing the essential and required properties to gain from them and start appropriate achievement to ascertain accomplishment, triumph and victory (Okpara, 2007; Meredith, et al., 1991). Entrepreneurs who are creative generally have a high level of energy and enthusiasm. “Entrepreneurship” has been determined as the talent and aptitude of the entrepreneur to guide and control inventive creations into ventures that are worthy as well as the knack to invent or fashion and trade original thoughts and build good ventures (Wood, et al., 2004 ; Antonites & Nonyane-Mathebula, 2012). Another opinion has surfaced. It has been claimed that entrepreneurship is a process that searches, uncovers and develops opportunities (Shane & Venkataraman, 2001; Madsen, 2007). Recent studies on entrepreneurship especially on successful entrepreneurs are focusing on their unique skills and experiences which are felt to be different from other entrepreneurs (Black, et al., 2010). Success can be viewed from many perspective and perceptions. It can be viewed from an objective or subjective manner (Chin, et al., 2012). Subjective manner looks into feelings of satisfaction or happiness from the customers view point. To them, as long as the customers are happy, the entrepreneur would feel that they have achieved success. An objective perception looks into sales and profit figures, if those figures are increasing, the entrepreneur would feel that they have achieved their success.

2.2 Emotional Intelligence and Entrepreneurial Skills “Emotional Intelligence” has been described as the aptitude or gift of the individual to examine and observe their emotions as well as those around them (Salovey & Mayer, 1989). According to Palmer & Stough, (2001), there are 5 emotional competencies that are displayed in the workplace. These 5 emotional competencies are “Emotional Recognition and Expression”, “Understanding Others Emotions”, “Emotions Direct Cognition”, “Emotional Management” and “Emotional control”. “Emotional Recognition and Expression” relates to the competency to be able to recognize and categorise the entrepreneur‟s opinions, mind-set and affecting status of mind (Palmer & Stough, 2001). The individual is also able to convey and put across their thoughts to their peers or colleagues in the place of work. If the entrepreneurs are capable to recognize precisely their needs and standards of others in the company, the entrepreneurs would be able to encourage the others to agreeing the suggestion or proposal (Chin, et al., 2012). Entrepreneurs are known to communicate their affective state of mind most of the time (Cross & Travaglione, 2003). Entrepreneurs favour the straight forward method of speaking their minds with the objective to determine matters with regards to the place of work. “Understanding Others Emotions” looks to the capacity to discover, recognise and

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comprehend the non-cognitive abilities of others at the office (Palmer & Stough, 2001). This proficiency is significant particularly in discussion where there is an exchange of opinions. The capability to realize the emotions of others support in improving and intensifying the interaction at the office (Boren, 2010). Being capable to correctly understand the communication and information conveyed is imperative chiefly during business deals. “Emotions Direct Cognition” means the level where non-cognitive and affecting comprehension are integrated in decisions to be made (Palmer & Stough, 2001). This competency promotes the amalgamation of reckoning and reasoning to emotions and feelings (Boren, 2010). In terms of “Emotional Management”, it describes the aptitude to handle constructive and unconstructive emotions not only within oneself but also in others (Palmer & Stough, 2001). “Emotional Control” refers to the success of the individual in managing tough disturbing states experienced at the workplace (Palmer & Stough, 2001). Little efforts have been made to review and evaluate emotion dispositions function in the entrepreneurial process (Zampetakis, et al., 2009). It has been emphasized that emotional factors plays an essential function which could determine the failure or success of the business (Shepherd, 2004). Regulating stress could be link to entrepreneurial success. Individuals that possess a soaring level of “emotional self-efficacy”, they have a tendency to demonstrate a high patience to pressure and strain and also to other “environmental stressors” (Mikolajczak, et al., 2006; Tsaousis & Nikolaou, 2005). The entrepreneurs are expected to continue to keep trying whenever trouble arises and look for challenges. Therefore, the research objectives would be: To determine the level of Emotional Intelligence among the entrepreneurs. To examine the relationship between Emotional Intelligence to “Achievement” and “Opportunism”

2.3 Spiritual Intelligence and Entrepreneurial Skills Previous studies on Spiritual Intelligence and Entrepreneurs have been ineffective in providing a consistent justification (Kauanui, et al., 2009). Based on a study conducted in Iran, it was determined that there is a positive and significant connection between spiritual quotient and the level of entrepreneurship among the employees (Masoud & Elaheh, 2012). Spiritual Intelligence has been defined as the aptitude which helps mankind to explain and resolve the troubles of life implication and importance and delves the thought of the activities and existence (Zohar & Marshall, 2004). Spiritual intelligence is a combination of competencies individuals employ to affect, apparent, and exemplifies saintly properties, principles and traits in ways that will develop and increase daily running and welfare (Amram, 2007; Amram & Dryer, 2008). For the purpose of this study, the measurements developed by Amram will be used and according to him, there are 5 core proportions of “Spiritual Intelligence”. These 5 dimensions are “Consciousness”, “Grace”, “Meaning”, “Transcedence” and “Truth”. There are 22 sub scales in these dimensions. “Consciousness” is a field that reflects the capability to elevate or move awareness to tap instinct and to blend numerous points of opinions that will improve daily operation and welfare of the individual (Amram, 2007; Amram & Dryer, 2008). “Consciousness” has 3 sub scales; they are “”Intuition”, “Mindfulness” and “Synthesis”. “Grace” refers to the “inner-directedness” and “love for life”, using the encouragement, attractiveness together with pleasure innate in each

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current instant to heighten operational and welfare (Amram, 2007;Amram & Dryer, 2008). “Grace” has 5 sub areas; they are “Beauty”, “Discernment”, “Freedom”, “Gratitude”, “Immanence” and “Joy”. As for “Meaning”, the purview reveals the capacity to understand sense, connect events and involvements to principles and build analyses in ways that augment working and welfare even while facing adverse situations (Amram, 2007; Amram & Dryer, 2008). “Meaning” can be divided in 2 sub scales; they are “Purpose” and “Service”. “Transcedence” refers to the capacity to support the revered and surpass the selfish nature with a wisdom of connectedness and holism in methods will enrich the operational and happiness of the individual (Amram, 2007; Amram & Dryer, 2008). “Transcedence” can be divided to 5 sub scales; they are “Higher-self”, “Holism”, “Practice”, “Relatedness” and “Sacredness”. In “Truth”, this field reveals the skill to show affection and calmly yield, establishing openness, existence, humbleness and faith in conducts that heighten regular running and comfort (Amram, 2007;Amram & Dryer, 2008). “Truth” can be divided into 6 sub scales; they are “Egolessness”, “Equanimity”, “Inner-wholeness”, “Openness”, “Presence” and “Trust”. Therefore, the research objectives would be: To determine the level of Spiritual Intelligence among the entrepreneurs. To examine the relationship between Spiritual Intelligence to “Achievement” and “Opportunism”

3. Methodology Research Objectives The research aims in this paper are:

To decide the stage of “Emotional Intelligence” and “Spiritual Intelligence” among the effective entrepreneurs

To study connections between “Emotional Intelligence” and “Spiritual Intelligence” and Entrepreneurial skills (Achievement)

To scrutinize the connection between “Emotional Intelligence” and “Spiritual Intelligence” and Entrepreneurial skills (Opportunism)

Population, Sample and Sampling Technique The population in the study comprises of the successful entrepreneurs in Malaysia. A total of 88 entrepreneurs were selected. They were selected based on their achievements. The entrepreneurs are from a wide variety of sectors, they are from both the manufacturing and the services sector. Variables and Measurements To measure the level of Emotional Intelligence, the GENOS Emotional Intelligence was employed. There are 5 dimensions in the measurement. These dimensions are Emotional Recognition and Expression (ERE), Understanding Others Emotions (UOE), Emotions Direct Cognition (EDC), Emotional Management (EM) and Emotional Control (EC). To measure the level of Spiritual Intelligence, the scales developed by Amran [12] will be used. The scales includes; Consciousness, Grace, Meaning, Transcedence and Truth. Achievement and Opportunism is based on a scale using the 6 dimension of Entrepreneurs.

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4. Findings and Discussion

Table 1: Level of Emotional Intelligence Among the Entrepreneurs

Emotional Intelligence N Mean

Std. Deviation

Scale from 1 to 5 (low to high)

Emotional Recognition and Expression 88 3.0496 .42594 Lowest

Understanding Others Emotions 88 3.3636 .22600

Emotions Direct Cognition 88 3.8447 .31389 Highest

Emotional Management 88 3.1780 .28955

Emotional Control 88 3.1414 .33215

Spiritual Intelligence N Mean

Std. Deviation

Scale from 1 to 6 (from low to high)

Beauty 88 4.9091 .81607

Discernment 88 4.4205 .54344

Egolessness 88 4.4545 .71863

Equanimity 88 3.7273 .69028

Freedom 88 3.7576 .73713

Gratitude 88 5.2955 .53946 Highest

Higher Self 88 4.8091 .70851

Holism 88 4.7273 .94050

Immanence 88 4.0000 .50540

Inner Wholeness 88 3.5114 .61810

Intuition 88 4.6818 .75117

Joy 88 4.0606 .58623

Mindfulness 88 4.7273 .68761

Openness 88 3.3409 .88261 Lowest

Practice 88 4.2197 .56139

Presence 88 3.6212 .81050

Purpose 88 4.4364 .64793

Relatedness 88 4.8485 .91937

Sacredness 88 4.6477 .71783

Service 88 4.9697 .66979

Synthesis 88 4.9242 .85130

Trust 88 3.3750 1.06876

Based on Table 1, it is noted that the stages of “Emotional Intelligence” and “Spiritual Intelligence” among the entrepreneurs are above average. For “Emotional Intelligence”, the entrepreneurs responded strongly towards “Emotions Direct Cognition” and “Understanding Others Emotions”. As for “Spiritual Intelligence”, it was found that the entrepreneurs had a high level of “Gratitude”. The second examination aim was to study the connection concerning “Emotional Intelligence” and “Spiritual Intelligence” towards “Achievement”. To determine the connection, a “multiple regression analysis” was conducted.

Table 2A : Summary of Multiple Regression

Analysis – Emotional Intelligence and

Achievement

Model R R

Square Adjusted R Square

Std. Error of the

Estimate Sig.

1 .598a .358 .318 .23310 .000

a

a. Predictors: (Constant), EC, EDC, UOE, EM, ERE

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Table 2B : Multiple Regression Analysis – Emotional Intelligence

Coefficients for Achievement

Model

Unstandardized Coefficients Standardized Coefficients

t Sig. B Std. Error Beta

1 (Constant) 3.574 .556 6.422 .000

ERE .123 .099 .185 1.236 .220

UOE -.162 .139 -.129 -1.166 .247

EDC .563 .126 .626 4.474 .000

EM -.305 .130 -.313 -2.349 .021

EC -.098 .110 -.115 -.891 .376

Dependent Variable: Achievement Note : “ERE – Emotional Recognition and Expression; UOE – Understanding Others Emotions, EDC – Emotions Direct Cognition; EM – Emotional Management; EC – Emotional Control”

Based on Tables 2A and 2B, it was found that the dimensions of Emotional Intelligence are responsible for 35.8% of the variations in “Achievement”. And based on the significant value (Table 2B), it was found that “Emotions Direct Cognition” and “Emotional Management” influences the “Achievement” among entrepreneurs. The regression equation would be Y(1) = 3.574 (Achievement) + 0.185 “Emotions Direct Cognition” – 0.313 “Emotional Management”. “Emotions Direct Cognition” has a positive influence while “Emotional Management” has a negative influence.

Table 3A : Summary of Multiple Regression

Analysis – Spiritual Intelligence and Achievement

Model R R Square Adjusted R

Square Std. Error of the

Estimate Sig.

1 .964a .929 .905 .08714 .000

a

a. Predictors: (Constant), Trust, Egolessness, Discernment, Gratitude, Practice, Immanence, Openness, Equanimity, Service, InnerWholeness, Purpose, Beauty, Freedom, Mindfulness, Joy, Intuition, Synthesis, Relatedness, Presence, Sacredness, HigherSelf, Holism

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Table 3B : Multiple Regression Analysis – Spiritual Intelligence

Coefficients for Achievement

Model

Unstandardized Coefficients Standardized Coefficients

T Sig. B Std. Error Beta

1 (Constant) 2.912 .335 8.679 .000

Beauty .076 .048 .221 1.577 .120

Discernment .195 .068 .375 2.882 .005

Egolessness .168 .076 .427 2.223 .030

Equanimity -.260 .059 -.635 -4.367 .000

Freedom .329 .113 .859 2.903 .005

Gratitude -.002 .024 -.004 -.083 .934

HigherSelf -.472 .131 -1.184 -3.592 .001

Holism -.303 .183 -1.009 -1.656 .103

Immanence -.272 .142 -.486 -1.909 .061

InnerWholeness -.037 .106 -.080 -.347 .730

Intuition .467 .130 1.241 3.583 .001

Joy -.393 .112 -.816 -3.523 .001

Mindfulness .451 .143 1.099 3.154 .002

Openness -.032 .023 -.100 -1.397 .167

Practice -.534 .130 -1.062 -4.093 .000

Presence .224 .127 .643 1.763 .083

Purpose .261 .069 .599 3.780 .000

Relatedness .329 .071 1.071 4.628 .000

Sacredness -.203 .108 -.516 -1.871 .066

Service .026 .156 .062 .168 .867

Synthesis .268 .158 .808 1.699 .094

Trust -.111 .106 -.421 -1.046 .300

Based on Table 3A and 3B, it was determined based on the variables in the dimensions of “Spiritual Intelligence”, it represented 92.9% of the variations in “Achievement”. This is a very high percentage as compared to Emotional Intelligence. This variation was also found to be significant based on the Anova analysis. Based on the coefficient analysis, it was found that “Achievement” has a positive constant value which is 2.912. Based on the analysis, “Discernment”, “Egolessness”, “Equanimity”, “Higher-self”, “Intuition”, “Joy”, “Mindfulness”, “Practice”, “Purpose” and ”Relatedness” influences “Achievement”. The regression equation can be written as Y(2) = 2.912 (Achievement) + 0.375 “Discernment” – 0.635 “Equanimity” + 0.859 “Freedom” – 1.184 “Higher-self” + 1.241 “Intuition” – 0.816 “Joy” + 1.099 “Mindfulness” – 1.062 “Practice” + 0.599 “Purpose” + 1.071 “Relatedness” From the analysis, it was found that “Discernment”, “Freedom , “Intuition”, “Mindfulness”, “Purpose” and “Relatedness” improves the performances of the entrepreneur. While, “Equanimity”, “Higher-self”, “Joy” and “Practice” goes against the relationship, it influences negatively. The negative relationship indicates that the performance of the entrepreneur can be improved by lowering or reducing those factors or feelings. The third study aim is to scrutinize the link concerning “Emotional Intelligence” and “Spiritual Intelligence” and Entrepreneurial skills (Opportunism). Based on the R square value, it was found that the dimensions of “Emotional Intelligence” represented 53.2% of the variations in “Opportunism”. Based on the regression analysis, it was found that the constant value for “Opportunism” is 4.362 and it is positive. In terms of the coefficients, it was found that “Emotional Recognition and Expression” and “Emotional Management” influences “Opportunism”. However, from the beta values, it was found that these

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influences are negative. The regression equation can be written as Y (3) = 4.362 (Opportunism) – 0.499 “Emotional Recognition and Expression” – 0.276 “Emotional Management”.

Table 4A : Summary of Multiple Regression Analysis –

Emotional Intelligence and Opportunism

Model R R Square Adjusted R

Square Std. Error of the

Estimate Sig.

1 .729a .532 .504 .39058 .000

a

Table 4B : Multiple Regression Analysis – Emotional Intelligence

Coefficients for Opportunism

Model

Unstandardized Coefficients Standardized Coefficients

t Sig. B Std. Error Beta

1 (Constant) 4.362 .932 4.678 .000

ERE -.649 .166 -.499 -3.906 .000

UOE .380 .232 .155 1.636 .106

EDC .356 .211 .201 1.687 .095

EM -.529 .217 -.276 -2.431 .017

EC .248 .184 .149 1.349 .181

a. Dependent Variable: Opportunism Note :” ERE – Emotional Recognition and Expression; UOE – Understanding Others Emotions, EDC – Emotions Direct Cognition; EM – Emotional Management; EC – Emotional Control”

Table 5A : Summary of Multiple Regression Analysis –

Spiritual Intelligence and Opportunism

Model R R Square Adjusted R

Square Std. Error of the

Estimate Sig.

1 .997a .994 .992 .05028 .000

a

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Table 5B : Multiple Regression Analysis – Spiritual Intelligence

Coefficients for Opportunism

Model

Unstandardized Coefficients

Standardized

Coefficients

t Sig. B Std. Error Beta

1 (Constant) 4.052 .194 20.933 .000

Beauty .219 .028 .322 7.848 .000

Discernment -.233 .039 -.228 -5.967 .000

Egolessness -.171 .044 -.222 -3.923 .000

Equanimity .117 .034 .145 3.406 .001

Freedom .267 .065 .355 4.081 .000

Gratitude .001 .014 .001 .083 .934

HigherSelf -.098 .076 -.125 -1.294 .200

Holism .116 .106 .196 1.096 .277

Immanence .032 .082 .029 .392 .696

InnerWholeness .098 .061 .109 1.605 .113

Intuition -.031 .075 -.042 -.412 .682

Joy -.130 .064 -.138 -2.026 .047

Mindfulness .831 .083 1.030 10.064 .000

Openness .183 .013 .291 13.820 .000

Practice -.352 .075 -.357 -4.679 .000

Presence .074 .073 .108 1.005 .318

Purpose -.151 .040 -.176 -3.780 .000

Relatedness -.079 .041 -.131 -1.924 .059

Sacredness .495 .063 .641 7.905 .000

Service -.635 .090 -.768 -7.057 .000

Synthesis -.132 .091 -.203 -1.451 .152

Trust -.381 .061 -.735 -6.206 .000

a. Dependent Variable: Opportunism

Based on the data found in Table 5A, it was noted that the R square value is 0.994. This indicates that Spiritual Intelligence represents 99.4% of the variations in “Opportunism”. Using the multiple regression analysis, it was found that constant value for “Opportunism” is 4.052 and it is positive. For the other variables, it was found that “Beauty”, “Discernment”, “Egolessness”, “Equanimity”, “Freedom”, “Joy”, “Mindfulness”, “Openness”, “Practice”, “Purpose”, “Sacredness”, “Service” and “Trust” influences “Opportunism” as their significance value is less than 0.05. The regression equation can be written as: Y (4) = 4.052 (Opportunism) + 0.322 “Beauty” – 0.228 “Discernment” – 0.222 “Egolessness” + 0.145 “Equanimity” + 0.355 “Freedom” – 0.138 “Joy” + 1.030 “Mindfulness” + 0.291 “Openness” – 0.357 “Practice” – 0.176 “Purpose” + 0.641 “Sacredness” – 0.768 “Service” – 0.735 “Trust”. 4 regression equations was found, they are as follows: Y(1) = 3.574 “Achievement” + 0.185 “Emotions Direct Cognition” – 0.313 “Emotional Management” Y(2) = 2.912 “Achievement” + 0.375 “Discernment” – 0.635 “Equanimity” + 0.859 “Freedom” – 1.184 “Higher-self” + 1.241 “Intuition” – 0.816 “Joy” + 1.099 “Mindfulness” – 1.062 “Practice” + 0.599 “Purpose” + 1.071 “Relatedness”

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Y (3) = 4.362 “Opportunism” – 0.499 “Emotional Recognition and Expression” – 0.276 “Emotional Management” Y (4) = 4.052 “Opportunism” + 0.322 “Beauty” – 0.228 “Discernment” – 0.222 “Egolessness” + 0.145 “Equanimity” + 0.355 “Freedom” – 0.138 “Joy” + 1.030 “Mindfulness” + 0.291 “Openness” – 0.357 “Practice” – 0.176 “Purpose” + 0.641 “Sacredness” – 0.768 “Service” – 0.735 “Trust” And the R square values for “Emotional Intelligence” and “Achievement” is 35.8% and for “Spiritual Intelligence” and “Achievement” is 92.9%. The R square value for “Emotional Intelligence” and “Opportunism” is 53.2% and for “Spiritual Intelligence” and “Opportunism” is 99.4%. This shows that between “Emotional Intelligence” and “Spiritual Intelligence”, “Spiritual Intelligence” represents a higher portion of the variations for both of the entrepreneurial skills which is Achievement and Opportunism.

5. Summary and Conclusions The study focused only on the successful entrepreneurs found in Malaysia. They are from a variety of industries which includes the manufacturing sector and the service sector. They were selected based on their performance over a period of time and their level of achievements. Some of the respondent includes those who have received awards and titles. The study focused on the soft skills of the entrepreneurs which is “Emotional Intelligence” and “Spiritual Intelligence”. Based on the results of the first study aim, it was found that the entrepreneurs had an above average level of “Emotional Intelligence” and “Spiritual Intelligence”. The second and third study aim focused on the relationship between “Emotional Intelligence” and “Spiritual Intelligence” to Achievement and Opportunism. It was found that Spiritual Intelligence scored a stronger influence over Emotional Intelligence in terms of its portion or percentage of variations. One of the limitations of this study is the restrictive sample size. Not many entrepreneurs are willing to be involved in a study due to their busy schedule. The other limitation would be the variables that are used to determine the successfulness of the entrepreneurs. It is very subjective to identify which entrepreneur is successful. Success itself is very subjective. However, the results of this initial study showed that soft skills are getting important and becoming a strategic tool for entrepreneurs to succeed in this dynamic environment. The main contribution of the study involves in the synthesisation and evaluation of both Emotional Intelligence and Spiritual Intelligence. Earlier studies placed both of these variables as soft skills but did not define the exact nature of the skill. As mentioned earlier, Spiritual Intelligence is far more important than Emotional Intelligence in the entrepreneur‟s pursuit for success.

Acknowledgement The authors would like to thank all the entrepreneurs that took part in the survey. Without them, the survey would not have completed. The study has been awarded a research grant awarded by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) under the Fundamentals of Research Grant Scheme (FRGS). The grant was awarded in July 2011.

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