The Negative Effects of Extrinsic Motivation on Organizational Emotional Intelligence

Introduction: Emotional intelligence is an emergent topic. However, few studies have tested its relationship with motivation at work, which remains unclear. In particular, the effects of extrinsic motivation on emotional intelligence are underinvestigated. Method: The Organizational Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (ORG-EIQ) and the Work and Organizational Motivation Inventory (WOMI) were administered to 486 Italian employees. In testing the relationship of emotional intelligence with motivation, we used a new Italian model that includes self-awareness; self-management; social competency and relationship management. Results: Findings suggest that intrinsic motivation dimensions add a significant percentage of variance, in addition to variances due to extrinsic motivation with respect to emotional intelligence. Discussion or Conclusion: The results highlight the negative association of extrinsic motivation with relationship management in particular. New research and intervention perspectives are suggested.