The Effects of Increased Emotional Intelligence on Information Technology Professionals

The Effects of Increased Emotional Intelligence on Information Technology Professionals by Reba Alexander Businsky MS, Wilmington University, 2008 BS, Goldey-Beacom, 2001 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Industrial/Organization Psychology Walden University August 2018 Abstract Information technology professionals effectively manage complex, tactical processes and procedures for internal and external customers. At the time of this study there was a gap in the literature regarding the effects of emotional intelligence on information technology professionals. An organization’s internal and external customers may becomeInformation technology professionals effectively manage complex, tactical processes and procedures for internal and external customers. At the time of this study there was a gap in the literature regarding the effects of emotional intelligence on information technology professionals. An organization’s internal and external customers may become dissatisfied with the information technology professionals because of their communication style lacking an increased level of emotional intelligence. The purpose of this quantitative study was to research the effects of increased emotional intelligence by surveying 315 information technology professionals. Data were collected using 3 electronic surveys including a general questionnaire to collect demographic data, the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire, and the EQ-i. 2.0 questionnaire to capture the relationships between leadership styles (transformational, transactional and LaissezFaire) of information technology professionals and gender, race, or levels of emotional intelligence. Using descriptive, multiple regression, and independent-samples t tests, the results indicated there were no statistically significant difference in levels of emotional intelligence with transformational (.615) and transactional (.068) leadership where p < . 005. There was a statistically significant difference with Laissez-Faire leadership results of . 004 (p < .005). The study findings indicated that the variables investigated provided only predictive value with the Laissez-Faire leadership style of information technology professionals. This study contributes towards positive social change within the information technology community by supporting the value of emotional intelligence, regardless of leadership styles. The Effects of Increased Emotional Intelligence on Information Technology Professionals by Reba Alexander Businsky MS, Wilmington University, 2008 BS, Goldey-Beacom, 2001 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Industrial/Organization Psychology Walden University August 2018 Dedication I dedicate this dissertation to my husband, children and grandchildren for their unconditional love and unwavering faith in me. They gave me the strength to believe in myself and that I could realize my dreams. I also dedicate this dissertation to God and his many angels who led me down this path. He has sustained me with health, faith, and talent throughout this journey to be able to reach my dreams. Acknowledgments I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to those individuals who guided and encouraged me throughout my doctoral program. I would like to thank God, who gave me health, faith, and talent to be able to reach my dreams. I would like to acknowledge my extraordinary husband, Mark, my daughter, Heather and my son, Chad and their families for their love and support which made all the difference in me accomplishing my goal of becoming Dr. Reba Businsky. I am especially grateful to my special friend, Dr. Brenna Doran, who gave me unwavering support and encouragement throughout the program. I would like to thank my dissertation Chair, Dr. Reba Glidewell, who through the entire program provided her expertise and guidance with kindness that greatly contributed to the finished product. I would also like to thank my dissertation Committee Member, Dr. Marlon Sukal, whose detailed reviews and comments helped raise my dissertation to a higher level. I would especially like to thank Reggie Ezeh from Data Value and Paul McMurray from Insight Management Consulting for their priceless guidance on my data collection and statistical analysis. Lastly, I want to give a huge thanks to my special friends, Patty, Trish, Michelle and Leila for always being there whenever I needed someone to listen to my challenges of balancing family, work, and my dissertation.