EXPLORING THE LINK BETWEEN EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND WORKPLACE FRIENDSHIP

This study investigated the link between emotional intelligence and workplace friendship in a manufacturing firm in Ibadan, Nigeria. The objectives of this study were to examine whether self esteem, self management, self motivation, emotional literacy, interpersonal relations, change resilience and integration of head and heart are predictors of workplace friendship. In addition, the study sought to determine the association between self esteem,self management, emotional literacy and workplace friendship. A survey design was utilized to collect data from two hundred and five subjects who were employees of a manufacturing firm in Ibadan. The findings of the study revealed that the six variables used in measuring emotional intelligence were predictors of workplace friendship. The result also showed that there was a significant relationship between self esteem, self management ,emotional literacy and workplace friendship. Based on the results obtained from the study, it was recommended among others that firms should strive to develop emotional intelligence of their employees to bring about harmonious relationship in the organization.