Complex Problem Solving, Creativity and Emotional Intelligence: three success factors forthe 21st century workplace

Sammanfattning: The purpose of the present study was to examine complex problem solving (CPS),emotional intelligence (EI) and creativity to further the knowledge aboutcompetencies that are important for the 21st century workplace. We hypothesizedthat CPS would be related to both creativity and EI. Furthermore, we hypothesizedthat age would show a negative relationship to CPS. 39 participants recruitedmostly from convenience sampling completed the CPS test, the creativity test andthe EI test at locations in Örebro and Stockholm. The results were analyzed withlinear and multiple regressions and showed that CPS significantly predictedcreativity and that CPS significantly predicted EI, with those two having a negativerelationship. A regression revealed that age significantly predicted CPS, with thosetwo having a negative relationship. It was theorized that working memory andintelligence were important factors explaining the regression of CPS and creativity.The unexpected negative relationship between CPS and EI was theoreticallyinvestigated, indicating that personality factors could have affected the results.