Studying the Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Problem–solving Skills of Individuals from Personal Knowledge Management Perspective

Abstract

In today’s advanced economies, knowledge has been converted into a key economic resource and a contributing factor for organizational success. In nature, knowledge requires to be managed by each person in order to yield the concept of personal knowledge management (Drucker). In many scientific records, the relationship between personal emotional intelligence, problem–solving, and the psychological traits including emotional intelligences has been stressed. The present paper has aimed to study the association between the emotional intelligence dimensions and personal knowledge management. Hence, this research is a descriptive survey. The data collection tool was a questionnaire including 37 questions and the statistical sample consisted of 302 individuals from the students, experts, and active managers in the field of knowledge management. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was used to achieve the questionnaire’s reliability coefficient, while the facial and content validity was confirmed by knowledge management experts. The research data was analyzed by statistical methods and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Emotional intelligence was measured according to the Goleman’s model in five dimensions, including motivation, self–awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and social skill. According to data analysis, there is a positive and significant correlation between the education level and capabilities of people in personal knowledge management. All the emotional intelligence dimensions are of a positive and significant relationship with personal knowledge management. Likewise, the research findings proved a significant relationship between personal knowledge management’s four aspects and the five dimensions of emotional intelligence.