Ranking emotional intelligence training needs in tour leaders: an entropy-based TOPSIS approach

Abstract

The concept of emotional intelligence (EI) has attracted increased interest among researchers since the term EI was first introduced by Salovey and Mayer in 1990. Research has confirmed that EI is a considerable factor in academic achievement, work performance, and general life experiences. Growing research supports the notion that statistically significant improvements in EI abilities can be achieved through a comprehensive training intervention. The objectives of the study are therefore to evaluate the current EI levels and prioritise the EI training needs for tour leaders, who play a significant role during group travelling. Technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution was adopted to identify the priority training needs, and the entropy method was also applied to calculate weights of criteria and overall rating scores of the alternatives. A framework to develop and enhance tour leaders’ EI abilities is suggested based on the results of self-evaluations.

Keywords:

• training needs
• competency
• tour leader
• priority
• multiple criteria decision making