Emotional Intelligence and Performance of Academic Staff in Federal Universities in South East, Nigeria.

Abstract

This study examined the effect of Emotional Intelligence and Performance of Academic Staff in Federal Universities in South East, Nigeria. Relevant conceptual, theoretical and empirical literature was reviewed taking cognizance of the problem and the hypotheses of the study. The study was anchored on multiple intelligences theory and social cognitive theory. Descriptive research survey design was adopted in this study and primary source of data was obtained from the respondents, using instrument designed on a five-point Likert scale. The population of the study comprised 13, I63 academic staff in federal universities in south east, Nigeria. The sample size consisted of 341 academic staff in federal universities in south east, Nigeria. Krejcie and Morgan was used to obtain the sample size. Face and content validity method was used to ensure validity of the instrument. The reliability of the instrument was achieved through test re-rest method. Simple percentage analysis was employed to answer the research questions. Linear regression analysis was conducted to assess the relative predictive power of the independent variables on the dependent variable. The hypotheses tested showed that self-awareness has significant positive effect on employee task performance (β=.049, P=0.003 < 0.05). Self-regulation has significant positive effect on employee adaptive performance (β=0.047, P=0.000 < 0.05). Self-motivation has significant positive effect on employee contextual performance (β=0.147, P=0.001 < 0.05). Empathy has no significant positive effect on employee counterproductive work behavior (β=0.101, P=0.058 > 0.05). Relationship management has significant positive effect on employee proactive work behavior (β=0.164, P=0.001 < 0.05). And social skills has significant positive effect on employee creativity (β=0.102, P=0.000 < 0.05). ‘The study con­cluded that understanding emotions and developing emo­tion regulation can help achieve educational goals and objectives and improve academic staff performance in Federal Universities in the South East, Nigeria’. The study recommended that Nigerian university management should create more awareness about the importance of self-awareness among their staff through effective training of academic staff on self-awareness competencies. Federal universities in the South East, should prioritize management leadership training with a focus on developing the adaptive behavior of employees. Academic staff at the universities should prioritize building strong relationship with their colleagues, students, and management, which will enhance their work strength and contribute to a friendly environment.