Emotional Intelligence and Job Involvement: a Moderating Role of Gender. a Study of Zenith Bank Plc

ABSTRACT
This study investigated the relationship between emotional intelligence and job involvement, with gender as a moderating variable among employees of Zenith Bank Plc in Ilorin, Nigeria. The research adopted a descriptive survey design, using a structured questionnaire to collect primary data from a sample of 121 employees drawn through stratified and random sampling techniques. Emotional intelligence was measured across four dimensions: self-awareness, emotional regulation, empathy, and social skills, while job involvement was assessed through concentration, evaluation, and identification. Descriptive and inferential statistical tools, including Pearson correlation and regression analysis, were employed to test the hypotheses using SPSS (version 25.0). The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between emotional intelligence and job involvement. Specifically, self-awareness, emotional regulation, empathy, and social skills were found to significantly influence job involvement. Furthermore, gender was shown to moderate the relationship between emotional intelligence and job involvement, with variations in how male and female employees express and utilize emotional intelligence components at work. The study concluded that enhancing emotional intelligence among employees, through training and supportive organizational practices can lead to increased job involvement and performance, especially when gender differences are taken into account. It recommends that management should implement gender-sensitive emotional intelligence development programs to promote a more committed, productive, and emotionally competent workforce.