A two-step cluster model of the emotional intelligence and leadership style preferences of four-star hotel employees

Abstract

Purpose- The main objective of this study is to determine the leadership style preferences of four-star hotel employees based on their emotional intelligence (EI) profiles and demographics. Design/methodology- Data were collected from a sample of 190 four-star hotel employees. Descriptive statistics were used in identifying the level of employees' emotional intelligence and the leadership styles preferred in the sampled hotels. Further, two-step cluster analysis was used in clustering the respondents based on their level of emotional intelligence and their leaders’ leadership styles/demographic profiles. Findings- Two clusters emerged: low EI cluster of employees (44.21% of study sample) and high EI cluster of employees (57.79% of study sample). The low EI cluster is predominantly single, male, having 1–3 years of working experience and educational level less than high school; the high EI cluster are mostly married, female, with 4–6 years of working experience and have diplomas. However, employees from both clusters expressed preference for transformational leadership. Originality/value- The study extends prior research that identified employees’ EI, preferred leadership styles from employees’ perception and developed an EI model for evaluating hotel employees. The result could be used in soft-skills training need determination in hotel industry.