Abstract

Emotional intelligence remains a limited area of entrepreneurial research. Therefore, there is need to examine the concept with other entrepreneurial traits. In this study, the concept of emotional intelligence is introduced in the theory of entrepreneurial orientation. Although the entrepreneurial orientation topic has fascinated increasing interest, the majority publication in the field has men enterprises. Therefore, women entrepreneurs need to be taken into consideration. Besides, their successes need to be recognized for them to grow their businesses and to effectively access their business opportunities. The aim of this study is to examine the mediating role of entrepreneurial orientation on the relationship between emotional intelligence and firm performance. This study employed a post positivism research design (quantitative design) based on cross-sectional survey. This study employs a non-probability sampling technique. This is because; there is no database to arrive at probability sample. The non-probability sample used is the snowball technique. Sample size was 120 respondents. The data for this study was collected from both primary and secondary sources. The primary data came from administration of structured questionnaires. Data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The descriptive statistics includes frequency distribution and percentage. These statistics were analyzed through the statistical package for the social sciences software (SPSS). Inferential statistics includes correlation and multiple regressions. This analysis was conducted through structural equation modelling (SEM) with analysis of moment square (AMOS). The result shows positive and significant relationship between EO and FP, EO and EI, as well as EI and FP. However, the mediating role of EI on the relationship between EO and FP was not found. These findings demonstrate that EI is an independent variable rather than a mediating variable with regard to the performance of women micro enterprises in Bauchi state. This study has both theoretical and managerial contributions.