Emotional Intelligence Characteristics of IT and Tourism Professionals in Taiwan

This study compares the emotional intelligence (EI) characteristics of undergraduate students majoring in information technology (IT) and tourism. It was hypothesized that significant differences exist between the EI profiles of IT students and students majoring in tourism. Four-hundred and eighty-eight students (239 in IT and 249 in tourism) were selected as participants in this research. The survey used to conduct this study was Nelson and Low’s ESAP - College Version. A General-Linear Model ANOVA was used to determine the different EI characteristics of undergraduate students in the two sample groups. The results of the research have practical implications for incorporating EI into IT and tourism professionals’ development and training programs.