Abstract
Despite the rich empirical evidence linking emotional intelligence (EI) and conflict management skills (CMS) in the international setting, there is a dearth of parallel literature and studies in the Philippines. This descriptive correlational study analyzed the relationship between EI and CMS of middle managers in select higher education institutions (HEIs) in Central Luzon Philippines. A questionnaire was used to gather data from the respondents (N=154). Computation of the frequency distribution, percentage, weighted mean, standard deviation, variance, correlation, multiple regression, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t-test were utilized to give statistical interpretation of the data. The study revealed that there is no significant difference in the EI of the middle managers in select HEIs when grouped according to classification of institution, sex, civil status, highest educational attainment, number of years in the present position/designation, and religious affiliation. Age is an important factor in developing EI (R=0.1619). EI improves with age, increasing from young adolescence and early adulthood. On the other hand, there is a slight significant correlation between EI and the practice of CMS among the middle managers of select HEIs. At 0.05 level of significance, tcomputed (1.743) is greater than the tcritical (1.658), thus EI is related to CMS. Further study was recommended to explore other indicators and parameters for both areas of EI and CMS in higher education and other sectors to come up with appropriate recommendations and theory-based actions to optimize their effect towards the efficiency and effectiveness of organizations.
Keywords
Educational Management, Emotional Intelligence, Conflict Management, Middle Managers, Descriptive, Philippines,Metrics
References
- P. Salovey, J.D. Mayer, Emotional intelligence, Imagination, cognition and personality, 9 (1990) 185-211.
- JL. Holt, CJ. DeVore, Culture, gender, organizational role, and styles of conflict resolution: A meta-analysis, International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 29 (2005)165-196.
- D. Goleman, An EI-based theory of performance. The emotionally intelligent workplace: How to select for, measure, and improve emotional intelligence in individuals, groups, and organizations, 1 (2001) 27-44, Wiley, USA.
- R.H. Kilmann, K.W. Thomas, Developing a forced-choice measure of conflict- handling behavior: The" MODE" instrument, Educational and psychological measurement, 37(1977) 309-325.
- Daniel Goleman, (1998) Working with emotional intelligence, Bantam Books, London, United Kingdom.
- Sese, (1992) Conflict management styles among school administrators in select private tertiary institutions in Region IV Philippines, Unpublished dissertation.
- MM. Hopkins, (2004) The impact of gender, emotional intelligence competencies, and styles on leadership success, Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University.
- MJ. Ellis, (2000) The bilateral dimensions of transformational leadership in selected university constituents: An empirical study within the context of institutions of higher education, Capella University, USA.
- L. Paler-Calmorin, M.A. Calmorin (2007) Research methods and thesis writing, Rex Book Store, Philippines.
- Van Dalen D.B., Meyer, William, J. (1979) Understanding Educational Research – An Introduction, McGraw Hill Book Co, New York.
- P.J. Jordan, A.C. Troth, Managing emotions during team problem solving: Emotional intelligence and conflict resolution, Human Performance, 17 (2004) 195-218.