Emotional Intelligence and Organizational Citizenship Behavior of Civil Servants in Ethiopia: Psychological Contract as a Mediator and Organizational Cynicism as a Moderator

Abstract

There is a gap in understanding how psychological contracts mediate and organizational cynicism moderates the relationship between emotional intelligence and organizational citizenship behavior. This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of psychological contracts and the moderating role of organizational cynicism in the association between emotional intelligence and organizational citizenship behaviors among Ethiopian civil servants. The study included 322 (58% male) permanent government workers from three reform towns in southern Ethiopia. The findings revealed a significant relationship between emotional intelligence and organizational citizenship behaviors, psychological contracts, and organizational cynicism. The analysis using structural equation modeling indicated that the relationship between emotional intelligence and organizational citizenship behaviors was partially mediated by psychological contracts among civil servants. Additionally, organizational cynicism was found to have a significant moderating role in the association between emotional intelligence and organizational citizenship behaviors. As a practical implication, this study offers concrete recommendations for organizations intended to improve employee behaviors. It also contributes to the broader understanding of psychological contracts, emotional intelligence, and organizational cynicism in civil servants.