We propose to present our current work-in-progress research at the 2014 NABET Conference and invite colleagues who have conducted or are interested in conducting research in relevant/related fields to critique, discuss, share with us any ideas and suggestions on the research topic, methods and possible outcomes.

The research we will discuss examines whether the basic human needs, which are defined by Maslow in a hierarchical order as physiological, safety, belonging, esteem and self-actualization, are correlated with the individual’s age, gender, education and income.  This research also investigates whether the level of satisfaction of Maslow’s needs affects the individual’s emotional intelligence.  Two instruments are used to collect data: the 50-item scale designed by Lester, Hvezda, Sullivan, and Plourde (1983) to measure the level of satisfaction of the five basic needs in Maslow’s hierarchy; and University College London Psychometric Lab’s Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (TEIQue-SF) to measure emotional intelligence levels (Petrides & Furnham 2006).  Based on the responses, the level of Maslow’s needs and emotional intelligence of each respondent are determined.  An ordered probit model is estimated to see if age, gender, education and income are significantly related to the levels of needs, ceteris paribus.  A linear regression is run to test whether emotional intelligence is affected by the level of satisfaction of needs holding age, gender, education, income and other control variables constant.

Our research is about two of the most important theories in management and leadership. Maslow is one of the oldest and most used theories in employee motivation and EI is the most popular concept in leadership theory and employee motivation as related to performance, turnover and absenteeism. They are rooted in psychology yet essential to good management leadership, and more importantly employee motivation.