The effects of teacher's emotional intelligence on team-member exchange and job performance: the moderating role of teacher seniority

This study aims to examine the effects of teachers' seniority, emotional intelligence (EI), and team-member exchange (TMX) quality on their job performance in primary schools. In particular, the mediating role of TMX on the relationship between EI and job performance, and the moderated mediating effect of teacher seniority on EI-TMX-job performance relationships were scrutinised. Data were collected from 387 teachers of primary schools in Taiwan. The SPSS PROCESS macro and structural equation modelling (SEM) were applied to test the hypotheses using SPSS 26.0. The research findings indicated that primary teachers' EI positively affected their TMX and job performance. The findings also provide empirical evidence for the positive mediating effect of TMX on the relationship between EI and job performance, as well as the negative moderating effect of teachers' seniority on the linkage between EI and TMX. Recommendations are made on the enhancement of teachers' EI and the relationship of TMX in teachers' professional development programs, educational policies, and practice.

Automated summary

This study examines the impact of teachers' seniority, emotional intelligence (EI), and team-member exchange (TMX) quality on job performance in primary schools. It explores the mediating role of TMX in the relationship between EI and job performance, as well as the moderating effect of teacher seniority. Data from 387 teachers in Taiwan was analyzed using SPSS PROCESS macro and structural equation modeling (SEM) with SPSS 26.0. The findings suggest that primary teachers' EI positively influences their TMX and job performance. The study also provides empirical evidence for the mediating effect of TMX and the moderating effect of teacher seniority. Recommendations are made for enhancing teachers' EI and promoting TMX in professional development programs, educational policies, and practice.