The Effects of Emotional Intelligence on Organizational Citizenship Behavior and Unproductive Work Behavior

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimes to investigate the effects of emotional intelligence on the occurrence of positive work behaviors such as organizational citizenship behavior and the reduction of destructive behaviors such as unproductive work behavior in the organization. Methodology: This research was of applied and survey type. The statistical population consisted of all 315 employees of the Sports and Youth Departments of Zanjan Province. Using the Morgan table, the sample size was determined to be 172 and finally, 160 completed standardized questionnaires were analyzed. Data analysis was performed through path analysis method and structural equation model, using the Lisrel software. Findings: According to the research findings, there is significant inverse relationship between emotional intelligence and unproductive work behavior, a positive and significant relationship exists between emotional intelligence and organizational citizenship behavior, and finally, organizational citizenship behavior and unproductive work behavior have inverse and significant relationship. Originality: The findings of this research can play a significant role in the better and voluntary implementation of organizational citizenship behaviors and the decline of non-productive behaviors, thus increasing productivity in the organization. Implications: By increasing the emotional intelligence of employees, organizations can adopt arrangements in order to strengthen the behavior of organizational citizenship, sense of sacrifice, and work commitment and as a result, can lower tendency to commit violations in the work environment.

Keywords

• emotional intelligence
• organizational citizenship behavior
• unproductive work behavior
• employee performance
• sports and youth department.