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An investigation of the training needs on emotional intelligence of academic librarians

Asad Khan (University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan)
Mohamad Noorman Masrek (Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Malaysia)
Fuziah Mohd Nadzar (Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Malaysia)

Library Review

ISSN: 0024-2535

Article publication date: 2 November 2015

965

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to assess the training needs on emotional intelligence (EI) of librarians serving in the university libraries of Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured questionnaire was used to gather data from a randomly selected sample of Pakistani university librarians. A paired sample t-test was used to examine the significance of difference between the four indicators of EI. Further, descriptive statistics were used to assess the training needs on EI.

Findings

The difference between all indicators of EI was found to be significant. The results showed less than 50 per cent of deficit, more than 50 per cent of surplus and 20 per cent of job best fit in terms of EI of university librarians. Further, results illustrated that librarians require training to cover the skill deficiencies. Similarly, top-down allocation of tasks is required to produce more person-job fit and control surplus or over utilisation of the skills.

Practical implications

Findings of this study have several implications for university librarians, such as designing of training programs, incorporation of EI in the performance evaluation to investigate the causes of deficit and surplus in EI, etc.

Originality/value

This study is a first attempt that extended the scope of EI towards librarianship in Pakistan. The findings probably motivate university librarians to improve the current level of their EI.

Keywords

Citation

Khan, A., Masrek, M.N. and Nadzar, F.M. (2015), "An investigation of the training needs on emotional intelligence of academic librarians", Library Review, Vol. 64 No. 8/9, pp. 597-613. https://doi.org/10.1108/LR-04-2015-0040

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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