Abstract
This thesis applies the concept of trait El within the context of a theoretical
framework of emotions (covering e.g. behaviour, personality and decisions) by
analysing its relationship with employees' job-related feelings (Job Satisfaction,
Organisational Commitment and Emotional Motivation), emotion-related behaviour
(Decision-Making, Counterproductivity in work behaviour), and emotion-related
personality traits (e.g. Competitiveness, Perfectionist, Socialised Leadership Traits).
With regard to the definition of trait El, Petrides and Furnham (2001) have proposed
that individuals differ in the extent to which they attend to, process and utilise affect-
laden information. Its investigation should therefore be primarily conducted within a
personality framework, measured using self-report questionnaires. The data used in
this thesis were gathered from questionnaires and 3600 feedback assessments
distributed in various sectors in the UK and Ireland, and analysed using correlation
and regression techniques. Chapter 3 (Study r and 2) and 5 (Study 5) confirmed that
trait El's investigation should be primarily conducted within a personality framework,
since strong relationships were found between trait El and emotion-related personality
traits. The findings of Chapter 4 (Study 3) and Chapter 5 (Study 5) revealed that trait
El is positively related to employees' job-related feelings (e.g. Job Satisfaction,
Organisational Commitment and Emotional Motivation). From the perspective of
emotion-related behaviour, Chapter 4 (Study 4) showed that a person with low trait El
is more likely to exhibit deviant behaviour, such as absence and aggressiveness.
Chapter 6 (Study 6) showed that positive emotionality such as well-being and
emotional awareness clearly influences decision making. Overall comparisons
between high and low trait El scorers were also investigated and the results were in