In the dynamic and highly demanding environment of private healthcare, emotional intelligence (EI) has emerged as a critical factor influencing employee commitment. Understanding the interplay between EI and employee commitment can provide valuable insights for hospital management and improve overall organizational performance. This study examines the relationship between emotional intelligence and employee commitment within private hospitals in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

This empirical study employs a quantitative research design, utilizing a structured questionnaire to collect data from a sample of 200 healthcare professionals across five major private hospitals in Port Harcourt. The questionnaire is divided into three sections: demographic information, an emotional intelligence assessment using the Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test (SSEIT), and an employee commitment evaluation using Meyer and Allen’s Organizational Commitment Scale (OCS). The collected data is analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods, including Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis, to determine the relationship between emotional intelligence and employee commitment.

The findings reveal a significant positive correlation between emotional intelligence and employee commitment among healthcare professionals in private hospitals in Port Harcourt. Specifically, higher levels of emotional intelligence are associated with increased affective commitment, indicating that emotionally intelligent employees are more likely to exhibit a strong emotional attachment to their organization. Additionally, the study finds that emotional intelligence significantly influences normative commitment, suggesting that employees with high EI feel a greater sense of obligation to remain with their organization. However, the impact of emotional intelligence on continuance commitment is less pronounced, indicating that EI has a limited effect on employees' perceived costs associated with leaving the organization.

The results underscore the importance of fostering emotional intelligence within the healthcare sector to enhance employee commitment. The study highlights that while emotional intelligence contributes positively to affective and normative commitment, its influence on continuance commitment is minimal. This suggests that interventions aimed at improving EI may be particularly effective in strengthening the emotional and moral bonds employees have with their organization, rather than merely addressing retention concerns based on economic considerations.

The study concludes that emotional intelligence plays a crucial role in shaping employee commitment in private hospitals in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Healthcare organizations can benefit from integrating EI development programs into their training and development initiatives to foster a more committed and emotionally resilient workforce. By prioritizing emotional intelligence, hospital management can enhance employee satisfaction, reduce turnover, and ultimately improve patient care outcomes.

Based on the findings, the study recommends that private hospitals in Port Harcourt implement comprehensive EI training programs to develop the emotional competencies of their staff.

Additionally, regular workshops and coaching sessions on emotional intelligence should be conducted to reinforce these skills. Hospital management should also consider incorporating EI assessments into their recruitment and performance appraisal processes to identify and nurture emotionally intelligent individuals. Future research should explore longitudinal studies to examine the long-term effects of emotional intelligence on employee commitment and its impact on organizational performance.

This study provides empirical evidence that emotional intelligence is a vital determinant of employee commitment in private hospitals, offering practical insights for enhancing organizational effectiveness in the healthcare sector.

Emotional Intelligence, Employee Commitment, Private Hospitals

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