An empirical study of the role of emotional intelligence and effective leadership in a workplace environment of change

This thesis investigates the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI), leadership styles and outcomes of leadership, within the workplace environment of the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK; which is endemic with change (Allen, 2009; Iles & Cranfield, 2004). The broad question posited is: Within the context of change, what is the nature of the association between EI, leadership styles and leadership outcomes, from the perspective of both leaders and their followers?There is a dearth of published research on EI and leadership within the context of change which makes this study particularly timely. The study employs two different models of EI that have evolved from ‘ability-based’ (Palmer & Stough, 2001; Mayer & Salovey, 1997) and ‘personality-based’ (Bar-On, 1997; Higgs & Dulewicz, 2002) theoretical perspectives. This is the first substantive study to have embraced both models and the intention here was to identify similarities and differences between the two perspectives in the context of organisational change leadership.Although there is extensive research on leadership, there still exists an acute need for EI and leadership research based on follower perspectives (Lindebaum & Cartwright, 2010; Notgrass, 2010). This study addresses this gap by investigating both leader self-perceptions and follower-perceptions of their leaders. This study has been conducted in two phases. Phase 1 focuses on leader self-perceptions. Phase 2 focuses on the combination of leader self-perceptions and follower-perceptions of their leaders.In Phase 1, this thesis postulates that within dynamic environments such as the NHS, different types of linkages can be argued between EI and the different leadership styles (Transformational Leadership, Transactional Leadership and Laissez Leadership) while suggesting that EI will predict Transformational Leadership. Furthermore, this thesis postulates that EI and Transformational Leadership will have a positive impact on leadership outcomes.In Phase 2, this thesis considers both leader and follower perspectives and identifies leaders who overestimate, underestimate or are in-agreement with followers, in evaluating their own Transformational Leadership capabilities. Based on this, the leaders are classified into self-other-agreement categories of overestimators, underestimators, in-agreement/good and in-agreement/poor leaders. Thereafter, this thesis postulates varying levels of leader EI and Outcomes of Leadership (depending upon their self-other-agreement categories) as adjudged by their followers. Similar differences across the self-other-agreement categories of the leaders are predicted in terms of the linkage between EI and Transformational Leadership as perceived by the followers.The ontology of this research is realist and the epistemology is positivist (Burrell & Morgan, 1979). Data has been collected in two phases - from leaders in the NHS and then their reporting staff. Phase 1 target population was identified as NHS staff in leadership positions involved in implementing change management initiatives. Phase 2, target population was identified as the direct reports of phase 1 participants. Phase 1 entailed purposive judgment sampling followed by random sampling. Phase 2 adopted convenience sampling.Both phases were completed through surveys. In phase 1, leaders completed a self-report of the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire, the Swinburne University Emotional Intelligence Test (SUEIT) and the Higgs & Dulewicz Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (EIQ). The Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale has been employed to check for possible response bias. Self developed research items were employed to obtain information regarding the extent and nature of the respondents’ involvement with change. Leaders, who consented to participate in phase 2, identified 3 to 5 reporting staff for participation. In phase 2, reporting staff completed rater-forms of the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire and the EI 360 degree questionnaires. A number of qualitative interviews have been conducted with leaders to obtain contextual data regarding the nature of the changes, impacting upon the lives of NHS staff.Phase 1 findings based on self-ratings of leaders indicated a strong positive relationship between EI and Transformational Leadership, and between EI and one factor of Transactional Leadership (contingent reward). Contrary to the hypothesis, a negative relationship was found between EI and Laissez Faire Leadership. Regression analysis revealed that both the EI models significantly predicted Transformational Leadership. Furthermore, both EI and Transformational Leadership demonstrated a strong positive relation with Outcomes of Leadership. This study also reports higher Transformational Leadership scores for females and higher EI scores for females according to one of the Swinburne University EI model. Supplementary findings showed that; while predicting Transformational Leadership, the Higgs and Dulewicz EI model had incremental predictive validity over the Swinburne University EI model.Phase 2 findings based on follower perceptions confirmed the postulation that overestimators demonstrate lower EI and Outcomes of Leadership than other leader categories. Underestimators were perceived as manifesting higher EI and higher Outcomes of Leadership.The link between leader self-ratings of EI and follower-ratings of their leaders’ Transformational Leadership across the self-other-agreement categories was also examined. Findings supported arguments that EI and Transformational Leadership will be significantly associated for overestimators but not for underestimators. Some contradictory results were generated for the in-agreement/good/poor categories in terms of EI and Transformational Leadership correlations. These contradictory findings may be attributable to the difference in the factorial constitution and psychometric properties of the two EI models. More research is also recommended on the in-agreement sub-categorisation of focal leaders as good/poor.This study provides empirical evidence suggesting that EI predicts Transformational Leadership, effective in the context of change. EI also positively correlated with aspects of Transactional Leadership, helpful in successfully leading change. Therefore, investing in training and development of leaders’ EI has the strong potential improve the ability of change leaders.Underestimators were rated by followers as the highest on EI and Outcomes of Leadership, while overestimators were adjudged as the lowest on EI and Outcomes of Leadership. Therefore, underestimating leaders are arguably most suited to effectively lead dynamic change, as in the NHS. Female leaders manifested higher Transformational Leadership and also higher EI on one of the EI models. This provides some justification to enhance leadership responsibilities of women within transformational environments like the NHS.The clear indication that high EI predicts Transformational Leadership and high EI relates to lower Laissez-Faire Leadership can have recruitment and selection implications favouring the appointment of individuals with high EI in the NHS facing endemic change. However, there is a need to exercise caution and not simply use EI measures alone for placements and recruitment/selection. Nonetheless these results and the measures of EI and leadership could be beneficial in self development, career counselling and other social contexts in the National Health Services

Sputum viability microscopy for tuberculosis

Introduction. Sputum microscopy is the most frequently used tuberculosis laboratory test, but poorly assesses infectiousness and treatment response. The viability stain fluorescein diacetate (FDA) identifies metabolically active cells. Objective. To optimise sputum microscopy for predicting tuberculosis infectiousness and treatment outcome. Foundations. FDA sputum microscopy rapidly indicated the concentration of Mycobacterium tuberculosis that had not been sterilised by boiling and that was culturable. A cohort of 35 patients had FDA microscopy performed on their pre-treatment sputum. Lower FDA microscopy results predicted higher risk of tuberculosis disease in their 209 household contacts (adjusted hazard ratio=3.9, p=0.02). During the first 9 days of first-line therapy, these 35 patients had FDA microscopy on repeated sputum samples that rapidly differentiated patients with drug-susceptible tuberculosis from those with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (p<0.001). Refinement. To optimise sputum collection for programmatic use, a network meta-analysis of 23 studies demonstrated that pooled sputum, as used in the foundation studies, had similar performance to more easily collected, instructed on-demand “spot” sputum collection (p=1.0). FDA microscopy was optimised for use in basic clinical laboratories. This replaced potentially biohazardous and expensive steps with more practicable alternatives. Evaluation. These refined protocols were used to collect pre-treatment sputum samples from 978 patients. Higher mycobacterial concentrations assessed by culture, PCR, conventional or FDA microscopy all predicted greater risk of tuberculosis disease in their 4311 household contacts (p<0.0001), with concordance (C)-statistics between 58-62%. Paired samples, pre-treatment and after 14 days of tuberculosis treatment, were collected from 384 patients. An alert FDA microscopy result at 14 days of treatment predicted adverse treatment outcomes (relative risk=3.0, p<0.0001), and performed better than currently used prognostic markers with 42% sensitivity and 85% specificity. Conclusion. After methodological optimisation, FDA microscopy predicted patient infectiousness and treatment outcome with similar or greater reliability than currently used laboratory tests.Open Acces

THE PRACTICE OF DOWRY IN THE PERSPECTIVE OF HINDUISM IN INDIA

Hindu religious notions have ingrained a sense of powerlessness in the psyche of many Indian women. Women are discouraged from making complaints of dowry harassment and abuse in the name of defending “family honor”. Awareness of women’s status in India is a key element for change and abolition of dowry abuse. But, families should be encouraged to defend the rights of its women. This needs to extend outward so greater solidarity among women can be built since women are often the ones inflicting and perpetuating the abuse of young brides. All such behavior would help to alter the core attitudes that victimized women develop of themselves. In these ways, women can empower their existence within the context not only of policymaking, but also within a world that will promote equality, respect, and dignity for all living beings

Monthly variation and interrelationship of physicochemical characteristics of a perennial pond at a biological park in Patna, Bihar, India

The present study was designed to observe the monthly variation and interrelationship among the physicochemical characteristics of the surface water of a perennial pond situated at Biological park also known as Sanjay Gandhi Jaivik Udyan, Patna.&nbsp; The different physicochemical parameters was determined for the period of two years i.e from May, 2016 to April, 2018 to analyse the pond water quality. The maximum value of water temperature, transparency, total solids, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, turbidity, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total alkalinity, chloride, total hardness, calcium hardness, magnesium hardness, nitrate, inorganic phosphorus, sodium,&nbsp; potassium were found as 32.6 ± 0.24 °C; 24.57 ± 0.18 cm; 1510.66 ± 4.50 mg/l; 1210 ± 0.89 mg/l; 478.33 ± 2.11 mg/l; 37.46 ± 0.22 NTU; 8.54 ± 0.0245; 542 ± 11.57 µ S cm¯1; 8.216 ± 0.01 mg/l;&nbsp; 6.73 ± 0.074; 14.27 ± 0.114 mg/l, 269.36 ± 0.157 mg/l, 63.51 ± 0.13 mg/l, 333.33 ± 2.581 mg/l; 101.2 ± 0.089 mg/l; 19.13 ± 0.068&nbsp; mg/l; 1.56 ± 0.004 mg/l; 1.43 ± 0.0078 mg/l; 7.726 ± 0.025 mg/l, 4.81 ± 0.215 mg/l respectively during the study period. This study therefore gives insight about the existing health of the pond and will be helpful to take suitable measure by the authorities to maintain the healthy environment and wholesomeness of the pond

Phosphorus: A Boon or Curse for the Environment?

Phosphorus, a limiting nutrient of biosphere, exists as dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP), dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP), particulate inorganic phosphorus (PIP) and particulate organic phosphorus (POP) in water of soil as well as ponds, lakes, etc. The only available phosphorus for plants are DIP, while the other forms need to be converted to DIP by the decomposing microorganisms of the soil. The heavy metals (such as arsenic and chromium), which are the menace of both terrestrial and aquatic environment, are taken up by the plants and animals causing toxicity at physiological level. However, the metal (Cr and As) toxicity can be mitigated competitively by phosphorus, since the latter is a structural analogue. Since, phosphorus is an essential nutrient, plants prefer it over Cr or As. At the same time, if excess of phosphorus is applied in the soil in the form of fertilisers, it gets discharged into the water bodies (ponds, lakes, etc.) through agricultural runoff, causing eutrophication followed by harming the health of the water bodies. This can be further mitigated by employing the phenomenon of luxury uptake by the aquatic plants such as Pistia stratiotes

Limnological studies on Different Ponds of Bihar, India: a Review

Pure water is essential for human survival. The availability of good quality water is an indispensable feature for preventing diseases and improving the quality of life. So, it is necessary to know about the different physicochemical parameters of water such as, temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), total suspended solid (TSS), total dissolved substance (TDS),turbidity, pH, alkalinity, hardness, chloride, sulphate, nitrate, fluoride, dissolved oxygen (DO), chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), nitrate and phosphate. Also Biological parameters such as planktons were examined. Results of the study indicated that the pond water of Bihar is slightly contaminated

NIST and FDA collaboration on standards development activities and laboratory programs supporting translation of regenerative medicine products

Standards are a powerful force in the protection of public health and safety, the development and commercialization of new technologies, and facilitation of national and international commerce. In the field of regenerative medicine, the need for standards has emerged as a common gap from various workshops, meetings, and discussion forums. Here we provide an update on multiple collaborative efforts between the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), to support standards development for regenerative medicine R&D, manufacturing, and translation. Collaborative efforts include coordinated workshops, leadership and participation in standards development efforts within relevant SDOs, and joint research projects. These collaborations leverage NIST expertise in measurement sciences to address specific analytical scientific challenges as well as leveraging FDA regulatory expertise in regenerative medicine products to ensure that the science and standards developed address significant regulatory challenges that recur across the field. This talk will focus on joint FDA-NIST efforts to develop standards within ISO/TC 276: Biotechnology, and several collaborative projects on cell counting and cell viability to support the development of standards. Cell viability is an important quality attribute often used as a manufacturing in-process control or a release criterion for cell therapy products. Assurance for cell viability measurements has been particularly difficult due to ambiguities in the definition of viable cells as well as measurement challenges associated with quantifying cell health. The joint FDA-NIST project in cell viability aims to provide strategies for establishing validation protocols for cell viability measurements

Exploring rural secondary students’ English language learning anxiety: A study on secondary students of Bauphal, Patuakhali, Bangladesh

For more than a decade second language researchers, psychologists and language practitioners have found out multifarious impact of anxiety on language learning process. Realizing its’ significance in the EFL context of Bangladesh, this study has explored the anxieties of rural secondary school students in learning English and offered some specific suggestions to reduce it. This mixed approach research collected quantitative data by administering Foreign Language Anxiety scale and gathered qualitative data from in-depth interviews with 20 students of 10 secondary schools of Bauphal upzilla, Pautakhali. Quantitative data was put in SPSS version 22 for statistical analysis and presented graphically and qualitative data was interpreted thematically. Results revealed that secondary students in this rural context experienced English language learning anxiety as about 68.44% of students were anxious about negative evaluation; 51.27% about classroom anxiety; 61.2% about test anxiety and 60.88% about communicating in English. Findings of this study have implications for the English language teachers of secondary and higher secondary levels particularly in the rural areas by drawing their attention to learners’ foreign language anxiety (FLA) as a major barrier to learning English and by suggesting them some possible ways to lessen it and for the academicians who aspire to come up with effective teaching methodologies considering the contextual variations to maximize foreign language learning output