A Model of Emotional Intelligence and Conflict Management Strategies: A Study in Seven Countries

International Journal of Organizational Analysis, Vol. 10, No. 4, 2002

25 Pages Posted: 15 Oct 2003

See all articles by M. Afzalur Rahim

M. Afzalur Rahim

Western Kentucky University

Clement Psenicka

Youngstown State University - Department of Management

Panagiotis Polychroniou

University of Patras, Department of Business Administration

Jing-Hua Zhao

Shandong University

Abstract

The study investigated the relationships of the five dimensions of emotional intelligence: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empa-thy, and social skills of supervisors to subordinates' strategies of handling conflict: problem solving and bargaining. Data (N = 1,395) for this study were collected with questionnaires from MBA students in seven countries (U.S., Greece, China, Bangladesh, Hong Kong and Macau, South Africa, and Portugal). Psychometric properties of the measures were tested and improved with exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and analysis of indicator and internal consistency reliabilities, and the hypotheses were tested with a structural equations model for each country. Results in the U.S. and in the combined sample provided support for the model which suggests that self-awareness is positively associated with self-regulation, empathy, and social skills; self regulation is positively associated with empathy and social skills; empathy and social skills are positively associated with motivation; which in turn, is positively associated with problem solving strategy and negatively associated with bargaining strategy. Differences among countries in these relationships are noted and implications for organizations discussed.

Keywords: Emotional Intelligence, Conflict Management, Cross-Cultural

JEL Classification: M12

Suggested Citation

Rahim, M. Afzalur and Psenicka, Clement and Polychroniou, Panagiotis and Zhao, Jing-Hua, A Model of Emotional Intelligence and Conflict Management Strategies: A Study in Seven Countries. International Journal of Organizational Analysis, Vol. 10, No. 4, 2002, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=429760 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.429760

M. Afzalur Rahim (Contact Author)

Western Kentucky University ( email )

1 Big Red Way
Bowling Green, KY 42101-3576
United States

Clement Psenicka

Youngstown State University - Department of Management ( email )

Youngstown, OH 44555
United States
330-757-8188 (Phone)

Panagiotis Polychroniou

University of Patras, Department of Business Administration ( email )

University Campus
Patras, 26 500
Greece
(+30) 2610 996377 (Phone)
(+30) 2610 996377 (Fax)

Jing-Hua Zhao

Shandong University

27 Shanda Nanlu
South Rd.
Jinan, SD Shandong 250100
China

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