EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND ORGANISATIONAL CITIZENSHIP BEHAVIOUR: AN EMPIRICAL REVIEW

Abstract

Emotion has now been identified as a critical element in the workplace, even though traditional management has downplayed its role in the past. To be effective and successful in today’s dynamic business world, leaders and employees must among other things be able to identify, take cue, manage, and problem-solve with emotions in the workplace. This is because the workplace is more dynamic, complex and highly competitive than ever before. Therefore, organisations are constantly looking for ways to improve their competitive position. Organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB) is believed to be one of the important components that gives organisations competitive advantage and facilitates the successful accomplishment of goals. The aim of this paper was to present a theoretical review of empirical researches linking emotional intelligence (EI) with organisational citizenship behavior (OCB). The review established a strong positive relationship between emotional intelligence(EI) and organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB). The implication is that in any typical organisation, individuals who are emotionally intelligent would exhibit more citizenship behaviour than others who are not. This is especially important in today’s ever changing business world. Organisations have gone beyond the norms –moving beyond just technologies and the use of other hardwares, and are now tapping into the human soul for resourcefulness and competitiveness. Leaders and managers should therefore take steps to ensuring that they help their subordinates acquire and develop their emotional intelligence based on its recognised relevance in today’s complex business world.