Impact of emotional and cognitive intelligence on job performance: the case of government chemist’s department

Abstract

This is a report of a case study that examined the impact of emotional and cognitive intelligence on job performance at Government Chemist Department. Levels of staff emotional and cognitive intelligence measured among staff were examined against levels of staff performance using scores derived from scale ratings. Self-report questionnaires and participant observation schedules were used in collection of primary and secondary data from respondents who included employees and supervisors working at Government Chemist Department, Nairobi: this was the research site. The study was undertaken during the month of November 2014.The Department is a key institution of the Government particularly in its role in forensic science crime investigations providing vital information for the administration of justice. It is also the referral Headquarters of the Department where operations were expected to be at their best, and where official records are kept. The findings of the study show that staff emotional intelligence scores (Average 68.9 %) closely matched staff performance scores (Average 71.7 %) and the Department’s performance(Average 70 %). Furthermore, staff cognitive intelligence scores (Average 74.6 %) fairly matched staff performance scores (Average 71.7 %)and the Department’s performance (Average 70 %).These findings show that there is an association between emotional intelligence and performance, and between cognitive intelligence and performance. This case study, thus, found that emotional and cognitive intelligence have an impact on job performance.