L. Melita Prati

Emotional Intelligence as Moderator of the Surface Acting—Strain Relationship

The authors examined the moderating role of emotional intelligence in the surface acting—strain relationship. Specifically, the authors hypothesized that higher levels of emotional intelligence were associated with a weaker relationship between surface acting and strain (i.e., depressed mood at work, somatic complaints). Results supported the hypothesized relationships, and the authors found that higher emotional intelligence attenuated the positive relationship between surface acting and depressed mood at work and somatic complaints. Implications of the results, limitations of the study, and directions for future research are discussed.

Emotional intelligence skills: the building blocks of defence against emotional labour burnout

We examined the moderating role of the four emotional intelligence components on the emotional labour perceptions – burnout relationship. Several hypotheses were tested to evaluate the relationship between subject emotional labour perceptions and burnout. Specifically, we hypothesised that emotional intelligence abilities alleviated burnout related to emotional labour perceptions. The results supported some of the hypothesised relationships, and we found that some emotional intelligence abilities were effective in moderating the relationship between emotional labour perceptions and burnout. Implications, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.

Acting and performing: influences of manager emotional intelligence

The purpose of this paper is to examine the predictive role of manager emotional intelligence (MEI) with regard to emotional labor efforts and outcomes relationships. Testing evaluated the influence of MEI on the effects of emotional labor activities employed by subordinates (e.g. surface and active deep acting).,Relationships were examined between the emotional labor efforts employed by subordinates and their levels of depressed mood, as well as the supervisory leaders’ evaluations of the subordinates’ emotional performance resulting indirectly and directly from the emotional labor activities. Specifically, hypotheses that MEI will influence the performance of emotional labor and the effects of such activities on depressed mood and emotional performance were tested.,Findings indicate that MEI moderates the impact of depressed mood on emotional performance.,This research adds to the emotional intelligence literature and enhances practical understanding of how organizations dependent on relationship-oriented, successful customer care can sponsor employee actions that facilitate results.

A Study of Negative Reputation in the Workplace

In an attempt to better understand how a negative reputation may affect one’s career, a series of hypotheses which offer an overview of negative personal reputation are tested, utilizing both a lab and a field study. Based upon the existing theory, these hypotheses explore negative reputation in the context of employees in organizations, suggesting that although often negative reputations are undesirable, at times individuals may be motivated to develop such reputations because they may confer benefits to one’s career.

Gossip: a channel for the development of personal reputation

Purpose The purpose of this study is to empirically test the extent to which gossip plays a role in individual reputation development in the context of contemporary organizations. This study answers the continuous calls to integrate theory across fields by exploring the theoretical links between these two constructs. Design/methodology/approach This study provides a conceptual analysis and general review of the literature on gossip and reputation. The relationship between these two constructs is investigated through a two-study package (lab and field) yielding convergent results. Findings The findings of this study are that gossip contributes to organizational identity in that it reinforces the social norms of groups and that gossip serves as an important enabler of reputational development. This study provides empirical evidence that gossip serves a more significant role in the development of personal reputation than more formal methods of communication. Practical implications As organizations and individuals attempt to develop and capitalize on the effects of individuals’ reputations, this study provides practical insights into the knowledge that needs to be built regarding the method by which this development can occur. This study points to the practical value of gossip in the creation of personal reputation. Originality/value The theoretical framework in this study highlights the centrality of gossip as a primary enabler of reputation development in contemporary organizations. Reputation theory is advanced by studying a segment of the construct that has, until now, been excluded from consideration in this field.