The Relationship Between Employees’ Perceived Emotional Intelligence and Job Stress in Higher Education Sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The aim of this research study is to investigate faculty staffs’ perceptions of emotional intelligence in relationship to the job stress in the higher education sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Educational system across the globe has been facing rapid reforms where the teachers’ roles have become more demanding. Emotionally intelligent faculty members can make an effective learning experience by their own motivation and enthusiasm, they are more sensitive towards their students ‘academic performance, disruptive behaviors and relationship management. The emotional intelligence is essential to deal with various issues in a better way. Higher education institutions are affected by the issues of globalisation, which demand faculty to handle job related stress by being emotionally intelligent. The proposed emotional intelligence (EIQ) model focuses on the relationship of perceived emotional intelligence with job stress. This research employed a explanatory research design method. A quantitative design approach is adopted by implementing a survey-based study. Psychometric scales are adopted for measuring employees’ perception about their emotional intelligence and job stress. Additionally, quantitative data has been collected from faculty members (n=277) working in different higher educational institutes. PLS-SEM was used to analyse the proposed model. This research provides empirical support for the argument that emotional intelligence is a direct driver for handling job stress through the appraisal, use and regulation of emotions. Keywords: Emotional Intelligence, Job Stress, Higher Education Sector, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Perceptual Model DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/14-4-04 Publication date: February 28th 202