Exploring the relationships between emotional intelligence and the use of knowledge transfer methods in the project environment

Abstract

This exploratory investigation contributes empirical findings on the relationship between emotional intelligence and the use of knowledge transfer methods in the project environment. Emotional intelligence can be generally defined as the ability to effectively recognize and manage emotions to achieve individual and/or group objectives. Knowledge transfer has been generally defined as the process in which knowledge flows from knowledge sources to knowledge recipients. An exploratory hypothesis was tested using data collected from project managers and members of project teams from a variety of project-based organizations. The findings of this study suggest that there are noteworthy relationships between emotional intelligence factors and the use of specific methods to transfer knowledge within and across projects. The results of this investigation can be used by knowledge management researchers as a foundation for further research and development in the area of knowledge transfer and sharing in the project environment.

Keywords:

• knowledge management theory
• knowledge transfer
• knowledge sharing
• knowledge dissemination

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Brent Decker

About the authors

Brent Decker has over five years of work experience in project-based environments in positions that range from project engineer to project manager. He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech. He received an M.S. in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Engineering Management at the same university. His research interests include emotional intelligence, project management, and knowledge management.

Rafael E Landaeta

Rafael E. Landaeta is an assistant professor in the Department of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering at Old Dominion University. He has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from UNITEC, Venezuela. He received his M.S. in Engineering Management and a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Central Florida. His research interests include performance improvement of project-based organizations, in which he focuses on the areas of project and program management, knowledge management, crisis management, and change management. He is an associate editor for the Engineering Management Journal.

Timothy G Kotnour

Timothy G. Kotnour is an associate professor of industrial engineering at the University of Central Florida in the Industrial Engineering and Management Systems Department. He holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Bradley University. He received his M.S. and Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering with an emphasis in Management Systems Engineering from Virginia Tech. His research interests include engineering organizational performance improvement, strategic management, organizational learning/knowledge management, and project management. He is the Editor of the Engineering Management Journal.