Assessment of the Influence of Emotional Intelligence on Conflict Management Preference Styles in Public Universities in Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the assessment of the Influence of Emotional Intelligence on Conflict Management Preference Styles in Public Universities in Nigeria. Specifically, it sought to: examine the combined contribution of emotional intelligence to conflict management preference styles and ascertain the relative contribution of emotional intelligence. The study adopted a descriptive survey design anchored on Rahim's Conflict Management Model and Mayer and Salovey's Ability-Based Model of Emotional Intelligence. The stratified sampling was used with a sample of 1,509 respondents was selected, from which 1,410 questionnaires (93.4%) returned and analysed. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Structural Equation Model, Multiple Regression, ANOVA, Canonical Correlation, and t-test at 0.05 significance level. Findings showed that combined contribution of emotional intelligence to conflict management preference styles was significant (R² = 0.055; F (5,1383) = 8.696, p < 0.05). Individually, self-regulation (B = 0.216; t = 2.938, p < 0.05) and self-awareness (B = 0.171, p = 0.05) contributed positively, while empathy showed a significant negative contribution (B = -0.225; t = -2.955, p < 0.05); motivation was non-significant (B = 0.099; t = 1.266, p = 0.206). Canonical correlation revealed a significant positive relationship, strongest for emotional awareness (r = 0.350, p < 0.05). The study concluded that emotional intelligence significantly, though partially, determines conflict management preference styles among senior staff. It recommended that university management institutionalize emotional intelligence training to strengthen self-regulation, empathy and social skills, promote collaborative conflict resolution mechanisms, and that future research explore other organizational factors, such as institutional culture and leadership style, influencing conflict management outcomes in Nigerian universities.