TDNet Discover

The purpose of this qualitative case study will be to investigate how emotional intelligence will influence executive decision-making during staffing crises for executive leaders and staff at Georgia Regional Hospital Savannah (GRHS), a public mental health facility. For the utility of this study, emotional intelligence will be generally defined as the ability to recognize, regulate, and apply emotions effectively to guide thought and action in organizational contexts. The theory guiding this study will be Emotional Intelligence Theory as it explains how self-awareness, empathy, and social regulation influence leadership effectiveness and decision-making during high-stress conditions. This study will be designed as an action research project, drawing from both qualitative and quantitative methods to provide a comprehensive understanding of executive leadership in crisis. The primary research question will ask: How does emotional intelligence impact executive leadership decision-making during staffing crises in public mental health institutions? The setting will be GRHS, where chronic staffing shortages create significant challenges in patient care and workforce retention. The sample will include executive leaders, department supervisors, and frontline staff. Data collection methods will consist of semi-structured interviews, focus groups, organizational document review, and analysis of turnover and absenteeism records. Data analysis will employ thematic coding for qualitative data and descriptive statistical analysis for quantitative metrics. This study aims to provide actionable insights for developing emotionally intelligent leadership strategies to strengthen resilience and improve organizational outcomes in public healthcare environments.