The differential pathways linking team emotional intelligence to team performance

Abstract

This study attempts to investigate how team emotional intelligence directly impacts the team performance of GenZ. Moreover, the mediating roles of team cohesion and team conflict are also analyzed to test the indirect effects of TEI on TP. In this study, the author views affect-based trust in a team as a moderator and tests its impact on the association between team emotional intelligence, team cohesion, team conflict and team performance. A cross-sectional study was conducted in January 2024. A convenience sampling sampling method was used to obtain data. Data were collected through a survey in Ho Chi Minh City (n = 218). The hypothesis model was tested using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) through the SmartPLS 4.0 application. The results of the data analysis indicated team emotional intelligence significantly and directly influences team performance and indirectly through mediating variables of team cohesion and team conflict. In addition, the results show that affect-based trust in a team had a moderate effect of TEI on TCH and TP, but no significant impact on TCF. Discussions, limitations, and implications are also presented in the paper. The findings provide valuable guidance for managers to get better team performance while working with GenZ employees.