The effects of biculturalism, emotional intelligence, and acculturation on motivation to lead of expatriate Latina business leaders and entrepreneurs: An exploratory investigation

This research was conducted in response to the absence of scholarly inquiry into the sociocultural and environmental factors, which influence the motivation to lead of Latina (i.e., Hispanic women) business leaders and entrepreneurs. The question driving this investigation was: Are biculturalism, emotional intelligence, and acculturation significant predictors of motivation to lead of expatriate and first-generation Latina business leaders and Latina entrepreneurs? In examining these factors, McClelland's (1987) achievement motivation theory served as a theoretical framework to the research questions. The variables of interest were measured using a 100-item Likert-type questionnaire consisting of five sections. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses. Using SPSS software, the analysis was conducted to calculate the best-weighted linear combination of independent variables to predict the criterion of motivation to lead. All scales were factor analyzed using confirmatory factor analyses (CFA). The CFA, using principal component analysis, was a vital component of this study for testing the hypotheses and reducing the data to obtain a simpler structure. Most significantly, the CFA analyzed the structure of the correlation and interrelationships among the variables. The young instruments used in this study: (a) The Bidimensional Acculturation Scale for Hispanics (BAS) (Marin & Gamba, 1996), (b) The Wong and Law EQ Self-Report Questionnaire (2002), and (c) the Motivation to Lead Self-Report Questionnaire (Chan & Drasgow, 2001) (see Appendix B, Sections 2--5) were of particular importance in providing an empirical basis for potential future research in addressing conceptual issues relating to the underlying structure of the data found in this study. Emotional intelligence and biculturalism were confirmed as predictors of motivation to lead; however, acculturation was eliminated in the stepwise regression due to its lack of significance. Implications for future research suggest investigating specific aspects of the emergent model such as the influence of environmental, socioeconomic background, and support systems of the Latina as it relates to her motivation to lead. Further future research implications were given regarding the variables of interest.