Impact of Emotional Intelligence on Individual Work Performance of Employees with the Mediating Role of Decision-Making Styles: Evidence from Pakistan

Abstract

The purpose of current research study is to examine the impact of Emotional Intelligence (EI) on Individual Work Performance (IWP) of employees. We propose a theoretical framework whereby Emotional intelligence positively affects employees work performance directly as well as thorough its positive effect on decision making, mediating their relationship. Work performance was classified into Task performance, Contextual performance and Adaptive Performance. To establish the empirical validity of the proposed model, we conducted a cross-sectional survey with 135 employees working in different sectors of Pakistan. Data was collected through close ended questionnaire and was analyzed using Confirmatory factor analysis, Structural Equation Modeling and Bootstrapping through SMART PLS software. The Mediation impact of decision-making style was investigated between the relationship of Emotional Intelligence and Individual Work Performance as well as between the relationship of Emotional Intelligence and sub-dimensions of individual work performance (Task Performance, Contextual Performance and adaptive performance). Impact of Emotional intelligence was also checked directly on the sub-dimensions of individual work performance (Task Performance, Contextual Performance and adaptive performance). Moderation impact of age and gender was also explored on the influence of Emotional Intelligence on Task Performance, Contextual Performance and adaptive performance. The results showed that decision making styles significantly partially mediates the relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Individual work performance. Decision making styles significantly partially mediates the relationship between Emotional Intelligence and sub-dimensions of individual work performance (Task Performance, Contextual Performance and adaptive performance). Moderating effects of gender and age were not found significant. Impact of EI was also found to be direct and significant on the sub-dimensions of IWP (Task Performance, Contextual Performance and adaptive performance. This research would help employers in understanding that if they will pay specific attention to the Emotional Intelligence of employees then that would be helpful in increasing the work performance of the employees. Keeping this in view they can design their recruitment, selection and employee development policies.