Impact of emotional intelligence on selected work-related attitudes and task performance of subordinate production floor workers in the South African 3d printing industry

Abstract

This research aimed to expand upon management studies in the 3D printing sector, which have commonly been engineering-focused. It examined the impact of a leader's emotional intelligence and an employee's emotional intelligence on job performance and behavior in South Africa's 3D printing industry. The study used a quantitative, explanatory research design, collecting data from 154 workers via online questionnaires during the 23rd RAPDASA conference. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 26 and Smart PLS 4, with structural equation modelling applied to test the study's nine hypotheses. The research findings indicated that there was no substantial correlation between a leader's emotional intelligence and an employee's job performance. However, significant positive correlations were found between a leader's emotional intelligence and an employee's job behavior, and between an employee's emotional intelligence and job performance. Employee emotional intelligence and job behavior were found to be uncorrelated, but a strong positive relationship was found between job behavior and performance. Regarding moderating effects, the study found that an employee's job behavior positively influenced the relationship between a leader's emotional intelligence and an employee's job performance. However, an employee's emotional intelligence did not have a moderating effect on the relationships between a leader's emotional intelligence and an employee's job performance or job behavior. Moreover, an employee's emotional intelligence did not moderate the relationship between job behavior and performance. Based on the results, the researcher recommends that 3D printing firms should prioritize emotional intelligence in their training programs and recruitment criterion.