The Moderating Role of Emotional Intelligence in the Relationship Between Workplace Incivility and Turnover Intention in South African Organisations

Nkabalaza, Mzokhulayo

The Moderating Role of Emotional Intelligence in the Relationship Between Workplace Incivility and Turnover Intention in South African Organisations

Thesis / Dissertation

2026

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Organisational Psychology

Faculty

Faculty of Commerce

Abstract

Workplace incivility (WI) and turnover intention (TI) significantly negatively affect South Africa's economic and social development. Despite these impacts, workplace incivility often receives minimal attention from organisations, partly due to its subtle nature and lack of legal consequences. To partially address this issue, this study examined the relationship between workplace incivility and turnover intention in South African organisations. A secondary aim was to determine whether supervisor or colleague incivility predicts turnover intention more significantly. The moderating role of emotional intelligence (EI) and its four dimensions in this relationship was also explored. Using a cross-sectional, correlational design, the researcher measured workplace incivility, turnover intention, and emotional intelligence through the Workplace Incivility Scale (WIS-10), Turnover Intention Scale (TIS-6), and the Schutte Self Report Emotional Intelligence Test (SSEIT-33), respectively. A sample of 128 employees was recruited using convenience and snowball sampling. The results demonstrated a positive relationship between workplace incivility and turnover intention, with supervisor incivility emerging as a more significant predictor. However, emotional intelligence and its dimensions did not moderate this relationship. The findings are discussed in relation to theoretical and practical implications. Additionally, the study's limitations and recommendations for future research on turnover intention are addressed.