Abstract
Among the most recognized management training methodologies is experiential learning which helps managers to develop self-confidence and better understand organizational problems. Until now, there has not being examined how these procedures affect students of Business Management, with no empirical evidence to substantiate the results in this context. This work contributes to a better understanding of how to develop emotional competencies of Management students, based on a review of the literature on emotional competencies, experiential learning and Outdoor Training. The results of this study were obtained through an experimental design pre-test/post-test/re-test with data from 108 students. It was found that most of those who participated in the program of Outdoor Training significantly improved their emotional competencies, both the personal and the social ones.
Highlights
Interest regarding emotional intelligence (Stuller, 1997; Boyatzis et al, 1995; Goleman, 1998; Boyatzis and Saatcioglu, 2008), competency-based learning (Boyatzis, Stubbs and Taylor, 2002; Berdrow and Evers, 2011;) and the use of experiential learning techniques such as outdoor experiential learning or Outdoor Training (OT) (Chapman and Lumsdon, 1983) has increased in recent years
The main objective of this study is to provide a theoretical framework for the introduction of experiential learning within the university setting, as well as to contribute empirical evidence originating from several concrete OT experiences performed with Business Management students within the context of a Spanish university
The authors of this study examined if empirical methods in a managerial skill course improved the student’s emotional competencies, in comparison with those students who were not enrolled in the course
Summary
Interest regarding emotional intelligence (Stuller, 1997; Boyatzis et al, 1995; Goleman, 1998; Boyatzis and Saatcioglu, 2008), competency-based learning (Boyatzis, Stubbs and Taylor, 2002; Berdrow and Evers, 2011;) and the use of experiential learning techniques such as outdoor experiential learning or Outdoor Training (OT) (Chapman and Lumsdon, 1983) has increased in recent years. Emotional intelligence is the ability to perceive emotion, have access to and generate emotions in order to help the mind and to regulate those emotions to promote intellectual growth (Goleman, 1998) Nowadays, it is well-known that even though intellectual skills and technical experience are the foundations of good performance of employees in business organizations, there is a factor that is not normally considered and that affects the performance of their work: their emotional intelligence level (Spencer and Spencer, 1993). Motivation, empathy and teamwork skills are related to emotional intelligence and the ability to produce the highest efficiency level within organizations. These organizations look for the most emotionally intelligent employees (those who possess the greatest emotional competency). Bearing in mind that current university students, and those enrolled in Business
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