OKHAWERE Nekpen Euodia
Department of Human Resource Management
Faculty of Management Science,
University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
For correspondence, email: nekpen.okhawere@uniben.edu
Abstract
Workplace emotional intelligence is the regulation of feelings and interpersonal interactions among members of an organization. An understanding of employees’ response to workplace managerial practices of emotional intelligence is crucial to determining managerial policies and actions to adopt. This study investigated academics’ (as employees in universities) display of emotional intelligence and associated challenges as response to managerial practices of workplace emotional intelligence. The study utilized a qualitative design that allowed the collection of data using 20 face to face semi structured interviews of academics in non-managerial role from the Faculty of Management Science at the University of Benin, Nigeria. The analytical methods were thematic analysis and content analysis. While the thematic analysis provided themes concerning academics’ display of emotional intelligence, content analysis was employed to determine the challenges academics are confronted with. The thematic analysis produced sub themes, leading to five general themes, which were empathy, self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation and relationship management. The outcome of the content analysis showed that communication barrier was the most recurring challenge that confronted both male and female academics. Also, poor awareness, demotivating organizational culture and practices, poor engaging leadership style and negative emotional culture were the additional challenges of emotional intelligence. The study’s contributions and limitations are further presented.
Keywords: Emotional intelligence, Managerial practices, Qualitative Analysis, Workplace, Nigeria, Academics’ Response
