An Investigation of the Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Entrepreneurial Skills in Physical Education Students

This study examined the relationship between emotional intelligence and entrepreneurial skills in physical education students. The research method was descriptive – correlation and application in terms of aim which was carried out as a field study. The statistical population consisted of physical education students of University of Tehran (N=843). 265 subjects were selected by Cochran Formula. Stratified random sampling method was used to select the sample. To collect data, EI Questionnaire by Nwokah and Ahiauzu (2009) and Entrepreneurial Skills Questionnaire by Biech (2007) were used. The validity of both questionnaires was confirmed by 11 sport management experts. Their reliability was obtained through Cronbach's alpha coefficient as 0.821 and 0.794. For data analysis, descriptive statistics (frequency, frequency percentage, mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (K-S test, Spearman correlation coefficient, stepwise multiple regression) were used. Findings showed a significant and positive relationship between emotional intelligence and entrepreneurial skills of students (r=0.508). Also, there was a significant relationship between self-management (r=0.471), relationship management (r=0.528) and social awareness (r=0.718) and entrepreneurial skills. Stepwise multiple regression showed that among the four components of emotional intelligence, self-management with multiple correlation coefficient (R=0.721), social awareness (R=0.821) and relationship management (R=0.853) could predict entrepreneurial skills. It seems that emotional intelligence and thereby student's entrepreneurial skills can be improved by necessary education.