Influence of Emotional Intelligence on Lecturers’ Research Productivity in State-Owned Polytechnics, Oyo State

Abstract

 Polytechnic education, which is not only a vehicle for change but also for economic growth and national development, appears to have received insufficient attention from the government. The study thus investigated the role of emotional intelligence in teachers' research output at state-owned polytechnics in Oyo State. The study used a descriptive research design of the survey type. The study's population consists of all one thousand and forty-four (1044) lecturers at all state-owned polytechnics in Oyo state. The study's sample consisted of 373 lecturers selected using a multi-stage selection process. Data was collected using two instruments devised by researchers, dubbed the "Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (EIQ) and Lecturers' Research Productivity Questionnaire (LRPQ)". The instrument has reliability coefficients of 0.81 and 0.77, respectively. The acquired data was analysed using basic linear regression, and hypotheses were evaluated at the.05 level of significance. The study found that lecturers' research productivity was significantly influenced by social skills (β =.605, P <.05), self-motivation (β =.429, P <.05), self-awareness (β =.576, P <.05), and relationship management. The study concluded that emotional intelligence is important in improving research productivity, and that institutions should support the development of these skills through targeted initiatives and a conducive academic environment. It was also suggested that academic institutions create an enabling environment that inspires and sustains lecturers' intrinsic motivation. This can involve providing research money, establishing reward and recognition systems for great research accomplishments, and encouraging autonomy in research efforts.