EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF AN EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE TRAINING PROGRAM ON FOOD RETAIL EMPLOYEES’ EMOTIONAL SKILLS

Authors: Argyro Chrysafi & Maria Platsidou

ABSTRACT

Although several studies have highlighted the need to empower the emotional intelligence of sale employees, there has been no relevant research in the food retail sector. The aim of the current study was to examine the impact of an emotional intelligence training program on emotional skills of employees in this field. A sample of 118 employees participated in the study, 92 in the experimental group and 26 in the control group. Participants in the experimental group fulfilled an 11hour training program on Emotional Self-awareness, Self-control, Empathy, Relationship building and Conflict management. Both groups’ skills were assessed using a series of actual and self-report measures, three times: at the beginning of the program, at the end of it, and three months later. According to the results, there was a significant positive change on Emotional Self-awareness, Empathy and Relationship building in the experimental group after the training. A lower but statistically significant improvement in Empathy was retained even three months later. On the other hand, no significant change was found in the control group. According to the findings, a training program can have positive results in developing emotional skills of retail employees, despite its short duration.

Keywords: Emotional Skills, Training Program, Retail

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