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Even though emotional intelligence has been proposed to mitigate
the adverse effects of stressful situations such as workplace bullying,
previous studies have yet failed to explain as to how emotional
intelligence affects the relationship between workplace bullying and
individual work performance. Accordingly, this paper aims to explain the
effect of emotional intelligence on the relationship between workplace
bullying and work performance. A survey was conducted among 230
managerial level employees and their supervisors in the fast-moving
consumer goods industry. Emotional intelligence and workplace
bulling were measured through a self-administered questionnaire while
their performance was assessed by supervisors. Data was analysed
using structural equation modelling (SEM) with AMOS software. The
empirical data supported the negative relationship between workplace
bullying and an individual’s work performance. Study also finds that
person-related bullying was the most influential form of bullying
that affects an individual’s work performance. Furthermore, study
revealed that the negative relationship between workplace bullying
and work performance is weaker for those with high El and stronger
for those with low El. Theoretical contribution of this paper is the
extension of our understanding of workplace bullying on individual’s
work performance by bringing emotional intelligence as a moderator.
The paper recommends to managers to use emotional intelligence
as a strategy to mitigate the adverse effects of workplace bullying on
individuals’ work performance.
