The originality of the conducted research lies in a holistic approach to analysing entrepreneurs' satisfaction, identifying statistical relationships between satisfaction and diverse economic behaviours, and exploring the role of emotions in making business decisions. This collectively provides a new perspective on the behavioral finance of businesses.
Literature reviewEmotions play a significant role in the process of making business decisions. Despite the common tendency to focus on data and facts analysis, it is emotions, both conscious and hidden, that influence the shaping of strategies, the selection of business partners, and the willingness to take risks. Entrepreneurs, considering their personal emotions, introduce a subjective element into the decision-making process, which can lead to both successes and failures.The origin of the word "emotion" derives from the Latin verb "motere," meaning "to move".However, to fully understand the meaning of this term, it is worth noting the prefix "e-", suggesting something more than just movement or stirringit may indicate an additional, extended, or surpassing basic activity. This prefix indicates that emotions have a tendency to act or react (Goleman, 1997, p. 27). Emotions are not only associated with experiencing specific mental states but also with a tendency to evoke particular behaviors or reactions. They are deeply embedded within a person and often guide their actions and influence the decisions made.According to D. Goleman, emotions can be defined as a complex blend of feelings and thoughts that are associated with specific psychological states and biological reactions of the organism. These emotional states, along with predispositions to action, constitute an integral part of the human heritage passed down to us by evolution (Goleman, 1997, p. 442). D. Goleman asserts that emotions essentially serve as stimuli shaping an individual's readiness for action. These are rapid life-saving or life-sustaining plans embedded in our psyche by evolutionary history. Emotional reactions triggered by various situations, such as fear, joy, anger, or sadness, not only influence human thoughts and feelings but also activate instincts and prepare individuals to take appropriate actions at the given moment. Therefore, comprehending emotions is crucial for a better understanding of human behaviour and responses in various life situations.Another renowned psychologist, R. Lazarus, proposes a more intricate approach to emotions. He contends that emotions result from an individual's appraisal of a situation, rather than being merely reactions to specific stimuli. According to his theory, emotions are more