The effects of emotional intelligence levels of employees on work motivation: An application on Antalya tourism sector employees

Recent studies emphasize the importance of having emotional intelligence (EQ) ability and using this ability effectively in order to achieve and maintain success in both individuals's private and working lives. Especially in working life where competition is increasing day bay day, the IQ levels of employees alone are not enough to be successful. Employees must also have the ability of emotional intelligence. Because studies have proven that EQ has an effect on many factors such as work motivation in working life. Work motivation is important factor especially for labor-intensive sectors such as tourism. Thus, emotional intelligence (EQ) has a vital role in tourism industry. In this context, it is aimed to determine the effect of emotional intelligence levels of employees on their work motivation. Also this research was attempted to determine whether employees from different genders and ranges of age are different inEQ. In this context, the relevant literature was reviewed and previous studies were used.In order toachieve the main purpose of the research, it was decided to prepare it in accordance with the quantitative research method and to use the questionnaire as a measurement tool.The sample of the research consists of 316 employees who volunteered to participate in the research from the five-star city hotels in Antalya.316 questionnaires were collected, analyzes were carried out with 289 usable questionnaires.The final version of data is analysed through the statistical program developed for social sciences. For statistical analysis of all data;Frequency analysis applied to determine the characteristics of the sample group of the research,confirmatory factor analysis applied to examine the construct validity and factor structure of the scales and T-Test, ANOVA and finally hierarchical regression analysis applied to reach inferential statistics of the variables.As a result of the findings, it was concluded that there is astatisticallysignificant and positive relationship between the emotional intelligence (EQ) levels of the employees and all the dimensions of work motivation except for the dimension of being unmotivated.In addition, it has been determined that the emotional intelligence levels of female employees are higher than the emotional intelligence levels of male employees, and the emotional intelligence levels of the employees increase as the age of the employees increases.In the light of analysis findings of this research, theoretical and practical contributions were made to the related literature and suggestions were made for future research.