Emotional Intelligence and Modes of Conflict Management of Employees of Different Age Groups

Abstract

Business organizations need to sustain their performance in ever increasing volatile business environment. Human Capital is the key to business success. Managing human recourses requires vital knowledge and information on human behaviours. This article presents Emotional Intelligence and Conflict handling behaviour of employees of different age groups. The study was undertaken in automobile and information technology industries in Chennai to measure among the employees the impact of age on emotional intelligence and conflict management. Emotional Quotient Test (Chadha, 2006), Thomas –Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (1974) were used for collecting data and statistical tests were used for analysis. Data analysis revealed that employees above 35 years of age had emotional maturity compared with other age groups. In handling conflicts, a pattern emerging from the study was identified: employees below 25 years of age were unassertive, employees between 30 -35 years of age were collaborative and employees above 35 years of age were competing.