| TITLE |
An exploratory study of emotional intelligence, group emotional competence, and effectiveness of health care and human service teams |
| AUTHOR |
Amundson, Susan J. |
| SCHOOL |
| GONZAGA UNIVERSITY |
| DEGREE |
| Ph.D. |
| DATE |
| 2004 |
| PAGES |
| 211 |
| ADVISOR |
| Wilson, Sandra M. |
| ABSTRACT |
Emotion is an authentic component of everyday work life. The sagacious use
of emotions or emotional intelligence in the workplace is being recognized
as an influential factor in organizational effectiveness, leadership, and
work outcomes. Likewise, the social and emotional competencies of work teams
are purported to improve the effectiveness in an organization. Although
social psychology and management literature supports these suppositions,
they are weakly supported in the empirical literature. This exploratory
study focused on examining the impact of individual emotional intelligence
(Mayer & Salovey, 1997) and group emotional competence (Druskat &
Wolff, 2001a) on the effectiveness of an infrequently studied team the
health care and human service team. Twenty health care and human service
teams and their team supervisors from 11 facilities in Alaska and Washington
state participated. Eighty-five health care and human service professionals
completed the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT), the
Group Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire, and a team effectiveness scale. The team supervisor also rated the respective team's performance. Results at
both the individual level and team level of analyses indicated that
emotional intelligence did not correlate with either group emotional
competence or team effectiveness. At both levels of analyses, however, group
emotional competence was related to and predicted member-rated team
effectiveness. At the team-level analyses, predictive norms of team
effectiveness included a caring orientation, creating an affirmative
environment, and building relationships. Supervisor-rated team effectiveness
did not correlate with member-rated team effectiveness, emotional
intelligence, or group emotional competence. This study makes an important
contribution to the theory and practice of teams in health care and human
service organizations. The results of the study suggest that a positive,
caring, and supportive work environment can predict a team's effectiveness
within an organization. These findings imply health care and human service
organizations and leaders may best try to create teams and workplaces that
foster, value, and reward positive and respectful working relationships.
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