Mental aspects of cultural intelligence and self-creativity of nascent entrepreneurs: The mediating role of emotionality

Abstract This study investigates the effect of mental aspects of cultural intelligence through emotionality on creative behaviour in entrepreneurship. Using a sample of nascent entrepreneurs in a developing country (Kazakhstan), this study contributes to entrepreneurship literature by providing a fine-grained explanation about how emotionality serves as a mediating mechanism between cognitive and metacognitive cultural intelligence, and self-creativity. The findings of this study demonstrate that individuals who display higher levels of cognitive and metacognitive cultural intelligence tend to possess higher emotionality, which in turns has a positive influence on self-creativity. We discuss the practical and theoretical implications of the role of cultural intelligence in spurring emotionality and self-creativity.