Empowering Entrepreneurship in South African Women with Emotional Intelligence

Purpose This study explores the role of emotional intelligence (EI) in the entrepreneurial success of South African women. It aims to identify patterns, challenges, and opportunities while addressing the interplay of EI with systemic and gender-specific barriers faced by women entrepreneurs. Design/Methodology/Approach A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted, analyzing 34 relevant Scopus-indexed papers from a total of 75 studies. The selected papers provided insights into various dimensions of EI, gender dynamics, and entrepreneurial success in South Africa. Findings The study reveals that South African women entrepreneurs encounter challenges such as gender discrimination, inadequate access to capital, and limited entrepreneurial training. However, EI emerges as a critical success factor, fostering resilience, self-awareness, empathy, and effective relationship management. High EI levels enable women to navigate adverse conditions, build supportive networks, and sustain motivation. The findings emphasize the importance of family, community, and government support, alongside targeted interventions to enhance women’s entrepreneurial success. Originality/Value This research contributes to the understanding of EI as a vital competency for South African women entrepreneurs. It highlights the unique challenges they face and suggests that tailored EI training programs could address these barriers. The study also identifies the need for policies that promote inclusive entrepreneurship, paving the way for broader economic growth and gender equity. Limitations The review is limited to secondary data from Scopus-indexed studies, which may not fully capture emerging trends and local contextual factors. Future research could involve primary data collection to validate these findings and explore additional dimensions of EI in entrepreneurship.