Emotional Intelligence and Work Engagement as Mediators of Big Five Personality and Knowledge Sharing

Abstract

This paper aims at enquiring into different interpersonal psychological factors and their interrelationships, such that the influence they possess at workplace on behaviours of knowledge sharing can be described. Knowledge based industries were referred to extract a sample consisting of 450 employees. In order to collect the information about knowledge sharing performance, Big Five personality, Emotional intelligence and work engagement, tools such as viz. Knowledge Sharing Behavior (KSB) scale by Yi (2009)56, Big Five personality traits scale by Gosling et al. (2003)21, Workgroup Emotional Intelligence Profile (WEIP-S) by Jordan & Lawrence (2009)26 and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale by Schaufeli et al. (2003)46 were utilized. Partial Least Square technique of Structural Equation Modeling was applied using Smart PLS 2.0.M3, in order to recognize the proposed meaning of intended relationships. Researches, that sought to interpret behaviors of knowledge sharing at workplace (Here 0.5246 significant at p<0.01 is calculated as the Total Effect of conscientiousness on knowledge sharing), points out at the prominence of conscientiousness amongst Big Five personality traits. Between Big Five traits, except agreeableness, and knowledge sharing, emotional intelligence establishes itself as the main mediator of relationship. Even though work engagement is a significant predictor of knowledge sharing (Here 0.1698, significant at p<0.01 is calculated as Total Effect of work engagement on knowledge sharing), its role as a negotiator is minimal. This paper might have some limitations but the primary concern is that it is the first study that considers propinquity of person­ality, emotional intelligence, work engagement and knowledge sharing while simultaneously tries to assess and comprehend the mediating role of emotional intelligence and work engagement in outlining and describing knowledge sharing, all in a single study