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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal – Vol. 9, No. 2
Publication Date: February 25, 2022
DOI:10.14738/assrj.92.11267. Harris, C., & Bacchus, K. (2022). Measuring Emotional Intelligence and the Productivity in a Changing Information Landscape:
University of Guyana Library (Turkeyen Campus). Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 9(2). 354-365.
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
Measuring Emotional Intelligence and the Productivity in a
Changing Information Landscape: University of Guyana Library
(Turkeyen Campus)
Ms. Clyden Harris
Librarian II, University of Guyana Library
Turkeyen Campus, Greater Georgetown, Guyana
Ms. Kezia Bacchus
Librarian I, University of Guyana Library
Turkeyen Campus, Greater Georgetown, Guyana
ABSTRACT
The way in which information is disseminated within libraries has changed rapidly
over the years; with technology playing a pivotal role in this change, an individual’s
use of emotional intelligence within the workforce can boost the organization’s
performance. As such, to promote increased productivity at the University of
Guyana library, the aim of this research is to increase employees’ awareness of the
use of emotional intelligence. A survey involving thirty-five (35) respondents all of
whom were library staff were utilized to aid the research process and findings.
Questions from the survey were formulated with the help of the four pillars of
emotional intelligence explored by Daniel Goleman. The four pillars of emotional
intelligence are self-awareness; self-management; social awareness; and
relationship management. The findings from this research validates the
researchers’ title and reflects that the level of Emotional Intelligence of library
personnel was very high which resulted in a high productivity rate among the
library personnel.
Key words: Emotional Intelligence, performance, job satisfaction, productivity, academic
library
INTRODUCTION
As the era changes, we are gradually moving towards a paperless trail where all information
can be accessed through the internet and use of technologies. The dependence on technology
can ultimately have a negative influence on the use of emotional intelligence. However, when
individuals are aware of the four pillars of emotional intelligence, they can use that knowledge
gained to their advantage. Emotional Intelligence became popular during the 1990s when
scholars posited that the key to increase productivity in the work environment is through the
understanding of emotional intelligence. The ability to recognize and understand your
emotions give you an advantage when dealing with queries and major concerns that are work- related. Further, knowledge on the personal and situational attributions that one may
experience helps in understanding the reason for their emotional outburst. So, the knowledge
gained on the self is extended to individuals with whom we interact with daily. Therefore, it is
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Harris, C., & Bacchus, K. (2022). Measuring Emotional Intelligence and the Productivity in a Changing Information Landscape: University of Guyana
Library (Turkeyen Campus). Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 9(2). 354-365.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/assrj.92.11267
believed that a clear understanding of Emotional intelligence may lead to improved job
performance, job satisfaction and productivity.
For this research the working definition for emotional intelligence is the ability to understand
and manage your emotions in positive ways to increase productivity within the workplace
(Segal, et al., 2021). Further, Bar On (1997), the creator of the Emotional Intelligent Quotient,
stated that emotional intelligence increases productivity through an increase of leadership
performance (Oyeboade, 2016).
To deliver quality education nation-wide, access to an academic library is pivotal. According to
Onwubiko (2020) librarians meticulously retrieve, efficiently store and preserve information,
scholarly articles, journals, archives, and books relative to all the faculties which are deemed
useful to deans, heads of departments, lecturers and students. Additionally, librarians and other
library staff interact with users from varying backgrounds daily. As such, their roles tend to
change to provide guidance to those who need it. Knowledge of emotional intelligence helps
librarians/ library support staff to recognize when a student is emotionally challenged and
provide the assistance needed.
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The scope of this study is to increase the employees awareness of emotional intelligence and to
understand the importance/ relevance of emotional intelligence within the workplace.
Therefore, to examine emotional intelligence, the focus of this study will be on the evidence
extracted from the librarians and other library staff at the University of Guyana Library.
NEED FOR THE STUDY
It is believed that Emotional Intelligence help the employee to increase their emotional self- awareness, increase trust and integrity and also improve relations within and across the
organization; this by extension increases the performance of each employee and the
organization as a whole. Therefore, Emotional intelligence plays a significant role in the
organization and may be used for evaluation of employees as it relates to productivity.
Additionally, whilst articles exist on the need for emotional intelligence within libraries, there
are currently no published article that speaks directly to the University of Guyana library. As
such, the researchers felt the need to undertake this study.
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The objectives of this study are:
• To Evaluate the relationship between emotional intelligence and productivity of library
staff
• To determine awareness of emotional intelligence among UG Library staff members.
LITERATURE REVIEW
The aim of this chapter is to examine literature on the research objectives, that is, to Evaluate
the relationship between emotional intelligence and productivity of librarians /library staff and
the awareness of emotional intelligence in the working environment in the New Information
Landscape focusing specifically on the UG Library. The literature review will not be restricted
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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal (ASSRJ) Vol. 9, Issue 2, February-2022
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
by geographical parameters in order to provide an up-to-date context for the empirical
research.
Babbie (2007) defined literature review as one expounding on the variables and theories on a
given research topic. This comprehensive article expands the knowledge of individuals as they
discover and utilize relevant sources for their research papers. Therefore, this literature review
examines the approach used by other researchers on emotional intelligence and productivity
of librarians in the changing information landscape. The researchers had difficulties finding
literature relevant to the study prior 1900’s from developed or developing countries. As such,
the analysis provided are during the years 1990 to present.
From a theoretical viewpoint, contemporary theorists articulated that emotional intelligence
either evolved around emotions or intelligence separately. For example, Payne (1986) utilized
personal experiences and emotions to build on the theory of emotional intelligence. On the
other hand, Gardner (1987) developed the theory of multiple intelligences to define emotional
intelligence. Gardner believed emotional intelligence entails how one rates themselves and
others within society as it relates to their intelligent quotient (IQ) or ability to solve problems.
Given the research topic, Gardner’s perspective on emotional intelligence can be used when
compared to Payne’s perspective. Further, Gardner (1987) looked at emotional intelligence
from a holistic point of view whilst Payne (1986) only focused on the self. In 1990, theorists
begun to believe that emotions and intelligence can work hand in hand. According to Mayer, et
al. (2011) emotional intelligence refers to the ability to recognize the underlying meaning of
emotional patterns and to reason and solve problems on the premise of these emotional
patterns.
Ogungbeni, et al., (2013) looked at the use of emotional intelligence, job satisfaction and the
productivity of librarians. They expounded on Marlow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory to
articulate their main points. Further, the article highlighted that emotional intelligence is not
the root of a successful life or successful job. Rather, emotional intelligence provides the
bedrock for competencies that are needed in enhancing job performance of librarians. The
authors did not conduct any experiment or utilize any statistical data in the article which
weakened the points argued. Whilst the article mentioned above was the first that the
researchers found to speak about emotional intelligence and librarians, the type of librarians
was not identified. As such, this research will be the first to speak about the use of emotional
intelligence and the productivity of librarians and library support staff at the University of
Guyana Library. The researchers will use the correlational method to seek the relationship
between the variables; this will determine if the variables are positively or negatively skewed.
Further, a survey will be undertaken by librarians and library support staff at the University of
Guyana and will be used as quantitative and qualitative data to strengthen the article.
Khan, et al., (2014) also expounded on emotional intelligence and librarians from Pakistan
University. This article looked at the use of emotional intelligence to aid in the organizational
commitment of librarians. The article was well organized and established that three dimensions
of emotional intelligence influences organizational commitment. These three dimensions are
self-assessment; optimism and service orientation. The article highlighted many other
researchers that focused on emotional intelligence and organizational commitment in other
countries, excluding Guyana.