Rahim/Civelek/Liang: DOI 10.18536/bcce.2015.07.1.1.07

Jump to: Business Creativity and the Creative Economy | Volume 1, Issue 1

Rahim, M. A., Civelek, I., & Liang, F. H. (2015). Department chairs as leaders: A model of social intelligence and creative performance in a state university. Business Creativity and the Creative Economy, 1(1), 52-60. http://dx.doi.org/10.18536/bcce.2015.07.1.1.07

Department Chairs as Leaders: A Model of Social Intelligence and Creative Performance in a State University

M. Afzalur Rahim, Ismail Civelek, and Feng Helen Liang
Western Kentucky University

Abstract

This study presents a structural equations model that represents relationships between department chairs’ social intelligence (SI) and their creative performance (CP) at a public university in the United States. SI was defined as the ability to be aware of relevant social situations, to manage situational challenges effectively, to understand others’ concerns and feelings, and to build and maintain positive relationships in social settings. Four components of SI were examined: situational awareness, situational response, cognitive empathy, and social skills. The model was tested with questionnaire data from 406 faculty members belonging to 43 departments in a state university. The data analyses with LISREL suggest that department chairs’ SI was positively associated with CP. Implications for management, directions for future research, and limitations of the study are discussed.