Emotional intelligence and effective communication as predictors of organizational commitment among Ethiopian public university instructors

Abstract

Retaining a talented workforce is a crucial concern for any organization. This study aimed to examine the level and predictors of organizational commitment among Ethiopian public university instructors. The objectives were to measure the levels of emotional intelligence, effective communication, and organizational commitment; test the relationships among these variables, and investigate whether emotional intelligence and effective communication predict organizational commitment. A total of 654 instructors from Ethiopian public universities participated in this study. They were randomly selected using random sampling and completed a survey questionnaire adapted to the Ethiopian public university context. The data were analyzed using one-sample t-tests, correlations, multiple linear regressions, and mediation analysis. The results showed that the instructors had high levels of emotional intelligence and effective communication but low levels of organizational commitment. There were significant positive correlations among these variables. Effective communication partially mediated the relationship between emotional intelligence and organizational commitment. It was the strongest predictor of organizational commitment, followed by emotional intelligence. These predictors explained 18.9% of the variance in organizational commitment. The study concluded that emotional intelligence and effective communication are vital for enhancing organizational commitment among university instructors. The study recommends that relevant stakeholders pay attention to these issues and provide training and support for instructors to improve their skills, attitudes, and competencies.

Keywords:

• Emotional intelligence
• effective communication
• organizational commitment
• university instructors
• Ethiopia

REVIEWING EDITOR:

• Stephen Darwin, Universidad Alberto Hurtado, Chile

SUBJECTS:

• Educational Psychology; Social Psychology; Work & Organizational Psychology; Higher Education; School Psychology; Education - Social Sciences

Authors’ contributions

Bantigegn Tegegne contributed to the conceptualization, design, data collection, analysis, and interpretation and wrote the draft of the manuscript. Habtamu Wondimu reviewed the manuscript. All of the authors read and approved the final manuscript for submission.

Data availability statement

The datasets generated and analyzed in this study are available from the corresponding author and can be shared upon reasonable request.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no financial or nonfinancial conflicts of interest.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

This research was conducted by the highest standards of objectivity and integrity, following the policies and procedures of Addis Ababa University. The School of Psychology Ethical Clearance Committee granted permission for this research with the reference number SoP-Eth-Co/08/2015. The study also complied with the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Written informed consent was obtained from each participant using a consent form specifically created for this study. All the data collected were kept confidential and anonymous.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Bantigegn Tegegne

Bantigegn Tegegne, a lecturer in the Department of Psychology at Dilla University Institute of Education and Behavioral Sciences, is pursuing his PhD in Applied Social Psychology at Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. His research interests focus on emotional intelligence, effective communication, and organizational commitment of instructors in higher education institutions. He teaches various psychology courses, such as general, social, and organizational psychology.

Habtamu Wondimu

Habtamu Wondimu is a Professor of Social Psychology at Addis Ababa University, College of Education and Behavioral Studies in the School of Psychology. He has published about 100 articles, book chapters, and books on social, educational, and psychological issues. He has taught courses in theories and principles of social psychology, group dynamics, program evaluation, and research methods. He supervises students working on their MA theses and PhD dissertation in the broad field of social psychology. He was the department head, college dean, and currently the vice president of the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences.