DBA STUDENT TO PRESENT EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE RESEARCH FOR GLOBAL BUSINESS CONFERENCE

From the outset, students of the inaugural doctorate of business administration (DBA) class have been invited to conferences and speaker events across the country and even around the world. This summer one of those students will travel to Paris to present his research at the International Engaged Management Scholarship (EMS) Conference.

Emmanuel Dalavai, DBA '17, will present his proposed research paper at the EMS Conference to an audience of management scholars and practitioners representing more than a dozen different countries. His paper, titled "Start Me Up: When Exploring Entrepreneurial Intentions, Think EQ not IQ," was originally written for a strategy course taught by Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs and Associate Professor of Management Greg Bell, Ph.D., and has since undergone several revisions.

Dalavai's paper addresses emotional intelligence, or EQ, as an antecedent to entrepreneurial intentions, reviewing relevant theoretical backgrounds and examining the influence of the theory of EQ in shaping an entrepreneur's attitudes, behaviors and decisions.

"When I first received the invitation to the conference, I wasn't sure if I would be able to participate, considering my work and academic commitments," said Dalavai. "Once I read more about the conference and its mission, and particularly about the hosting council, I knew I had to make it happen."

Spanning over 40 member universities, the Executive DBA Council was founded to be a platform for students, alumni, faculty and staff of executive doctoral degree programs to exchange ideas. Once a year, the council hosts the EMS conference, bringing together academics and working professionals to promote researched, evidence-based management.

"The mission of the council aligns perfectly with the scholar-practitioner ideals we share in the college of business," said Dalavai.

Encouraged by professors to use their passions to influence their research, UD's DBA students often look to their own experiences for research ideas. As a human resources professional at the multinational aerospace company Boeing Co., Dalavai drew from his background in coaching executives and developing leaders for inspiration.

"Entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity are highly valued by businesses for their ability to affect company growth," said Dalavai. "It's important for us to understand how these concepts come together to build the right leadership capabilities, and how to enrich the team dynamic at large companies."

Dalavai's paper further explores the emotional influences on an individual when launching a business or introducing a value proposition into the business stream.

"In my experience of working alongside individuals with a high degree of emotional intelligence, they tend to have a propensity to make better decisions in environments of volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity," said Dalavai.

Having spent several years studying and working in France both as an undergraduate and a professional, Dalavai is most excited to return to the country that ultimately launched his passion for languages, intercultural disciplines and global business.

"Spending time in a culture so different from my own built my global mindset and shaped my career inclinations," said Dalavai. "At Boeing, we work in over 40 locations around the globe and for several companies, which is not uncommon anymore; it's important for professionals today to have strong intercultural competence and empathy."