Journal of Emerging Trends in Economics and Management Sciences: Home

Article Title:
The Mediating Role Of Transformational Leadership Style On The Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence And Innovative Work Behaviour
by Philip Kiprotich Bii

Abstract:
This study aimed at examining the mediating role of transformational leadership style on the relationship between emotional intelligence and innovative work behavior among microfinance institution (MFIs) in Kenya. The study employed a cross-sectional survey design. The institutions studied were selected using stratified random sampling technique. Data was collected from 155 branch managers and 465 support staff. Data was analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics. Emotional intelligence had a positive significant effect on innovative work behaviour (? = 0.653, p ? 0.001, R2 = 0.215, F = 6.934 with p ? 0.001). Transformational leadership style had a positive and significant effect on innovative work behaviour (? = -0.835, R2 = 0.396, F =13.126 with p ? 0.001). Transformational leadership style was found to fully mediate the relationship between emotional intelligence and innovative work behavior (? = 0.766, p = 0.000). To enhance innovative work behavior at work employees, organizations should focus on building emotional competencies of employees to increase their emotional intelligence through leadership and suitable training programmes. Emphasis should be put on transformational leadership as critical in the innovative work behavior of the managers. The study contributes to the existing pool of knowledge by demonstrating the unexplored effect of emotional intelligence and innovative work behavior. It also provides literature on emotional intelligence, transformational leadership and innovative work behaviour through discussion on the implication on theory.

Keywords: Emotional Intelligence, Transformational Leadership, Innovative Work Behavior, Microfinance Institutions

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