Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Performance of Employees in Tertiary Institutions : The Mediating Role of Work Motivation

Oluleye Seun Ogunmola *

Department of Business Administration, Ekiti State University, P.M.B. 5363, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.

Roland Ohiozokhai Eguabor

Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, U.K.

Daniel Adigwe Ogbechi

Hallmark University Ijebu-Itele, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Chinaedum Daniel Ogbechi

University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria.

Henry Chiedu Halim

Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State, Nigeria.

Anass Hmadelneel Adow

Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia.

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.


Abstract

Emotional intelligence is an important concept in organisational psychology that plays a significant role in the performance of employees. Despite this, empirical investigation on the mediating role of work motivation in the relationship between emotional intelligence and job performance is under-researched. Hence, this study examined the relationship between emotional intelligence and job performance with the introduction of work motivation as a mediating variable. The descriptive survey involved a heterogeneous sample of 370 non-academic staff from selected tertiary institutions in Ekiti State, Nigeria.  The relationship between EI and performance was tested using multiple linear regression, while the mediation model was analysed through the Hayes bootstrapping method in SPSS version 25. Findings from the study suggested self-emotion appraisal and regulation of emotion as statistically significant predictors of job performance. Work motivation was found to partially mediate the relationship between EI and job performance among the sample.

Keywords: Emotional intelligence, job performance, employee performance, work motivation, Hayes mediation, intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation


How to Cite

Ogunmola, Oluleye Seun, Roland Ohiozokhai Eguabor, Daniel Adigwe Ogbechi, Chinaedum Daniel Ogbechi, Henry Chiedu Halim, and Anass Hmadelneel Adow. 2024. “Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence and Performance of Employees in Tertiary Institutions : The Mediating Role of Work Motivation”. Asian Journal of Economics, Business and Accounting 24 (6):147-63. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajeba/2024/v24i61349.