Title: Trait emotional intelligence and individual innovativeness: a study on technoparks

Authors: Fatma Halide Kivrak

Addresses: Department of Management, School of Business, Ibn Haldun University, Istanbul, Turkey

Abstract: Emotional intelligence is increasingly acknowledged as a driving force behind innovation. Employees with elevated emotional intelligence exhibit enhanced adaptability in industries focused on innovation, where heightened creativity and proficient collaborative problem-solving skills distinguish them from their counterparts lacking emotional intelligence. This study investigates the impact of employees' trait emotional intelligence on individual innovativeness within the context of technoparks. The research also explores potential disparities in trait emotional intelligence and innovativeness, considering variables such as gender, marital status, education level, age, and managerial position. Using structural equation modelling, linear regression analysis, t-test and ANOVA, we analysed data collected from 164 employees in Istanbul's technoparks. The findings highlight that general trait emotional intelligence, particularly its well-being and sociability dimensions, positively related with individual innovation. Additionally, significant differences in trait emotional intelligence were observed across all demographic factors, except marital status. Notably, gender and managerial position emerged as key differentiators for individual innovativeness, revealing higher levels of both emotional intelligence and innovativeness among those with managerial duties.

Keywords: trait emotional intelligence; trait EI; individual innovativeness; technopark.

DOI: 10.1504/IJWOE.2024.140691

International Journal of Work Organisation and Emotion, 2024 Vol.15 No.3, pp.284 - 304

Received: 09 Feb 2023
Accepted: 13 Jan 2024
Published online: 30 Aug 2024 *

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