Impact of transformational leadership on the person–organization fit of Chinese nurses: The moderating effect of emotional intelligence

Abstract

Abstract Aims To explore the relationships between transformational leadership and person–organization fit, as well as to test the moderating effects of emotional intelligence. Design A descriptive cross‐sectional study design was used to conduct an online questionnaire survey among 326 nurses in Chinese hospitals between March and June 2022. Methods Transformational leadership, person–organization fit and emotional intelligence were measured using the Person–Organization Fit Scale, Transformational Leadership Questionnaire and Emotional Intelligence Scale. Hierarchical multiple linear regression models and simple slope analyses were used. Results Transformational leadership had a significant positive impact on person–organization fit. Furthermore, emotional intelligence had a conditional moderating effect on the relationship between transformational leadership and nurses’ person–organization fit. Under a high level of emotional intelligence, transformational leadership had a stronger positive effect on person–organization fit, while under a low level of emotional intelligence, the relationship between the two was not significant. Conclusion Transformational leadership has a positive predictive effect on person–organization fit, but this positive predictive effect is driven by conditional effect. The emotional intelligence of nurses plays a moderating role between them.

Keywords

• transformational leadership
• person–organization fit
• emotional intelligence
• nurse
• moderating