Leaders' emotional intelligence and employee retention: Mediation of job satisfaction in the hospitality industry

Abstract

The present study has catered to one of the major issues faced by organizations across the globe, employee retention. Therein, the study attempted to examine the relationship of leaders' emotional intelligence with employee retention. In parallel, the study also tested to underline if job satisfaction could mediate this relationship. Through targeting non-managerial employees working in the four- and five-star hotels in Jordan, the present study sampled 380 employees from the 56 hotels. Through using structural equation modelling approach via Smart PLS 2.0 M3, the present study found significant relationship between leaders' emotional intelligence and employee retention hence suggesting that leaders' emotional awareness and management of employees whilst enriching their emotional expression and skills can significantly help boost employee retention. Accordingly, the study also reported significant mediation of job satisfaction in the relationship between leaders' emotional intelligence and employee retention. The study has reported that leaders' emotional intelligence can induce sense of belongingness leading to enhance job satisfaction which further results in harnessing employee retention. The study forwards notable implications for practice and scope for future studies in light of the findings.