Emotional intelligence research within human resource development scholarship Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • Purpose The purpose of this study is to review and synthesize pertinent emotional intelligence (EI) research within the human resource development (HRD) scholarship. Design/methodology/approach An integrative review of literature was conducted and multiple electronic databases were searched to find the relevant resources. Using the content analysis technique, the literature was reviewed and thematically organized. Findings Seven major themes emerged through the process of content analysis on the body of the reviewed literature. The themes which described the presence of EI-related research within the field of HRD, included: Conceptual connections between EI and HRD; various aspects of EI training and development; the strengths and weaknesses of different EI measurement tools; EI profiles of individuals across various careers; the influence of context in the interpretation of EI; the role of EI in productive interpersonal interactions; and, finally, the impact of EI in leadership development and performance. Research limitations/implications The search for this review was limited to peer-reviewed published EI-related articles which contained the keywords human resource development or HRD. While the field of HRD encompasses a wide variety of areas, this study has the limitation of excluding other relevant articles that did not contain the key terms. Originality/value The originality of this study lies in its focus on EI and developing human resources. It argues that EI is a legitimate organization development intervention that can be effectively utilized to improve performance at individual, group, process and organizational levels.

published proceedings

  • EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

author list (cited authors)

  • Farnia, F., & Nafukho, F. M.

citation count

  • 15

complete list of authors

  • Farnia, Forouzan||Nafukho, Fredrick Muyia

publication date

  • January 2016