Gratitude, social intelligence, and leadership among university teachers: mediation and moderation analysis

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the linkage between gratitude and leadership among university teachers. It also tended to examine mediating and moderating effect of social intelligence amidst the relationship between gratitude and leadership. As social intelligence is a multi-dimensional concept, this paper explored mediating and moderating effect of three dimensions of social intelligence, i.e. social awareness, social skills and social information processing. Design/methodology/approach Mediation effect was examined with help of Baron and Kenny’s (1986) technique, Sobel test and bootstrapping estimates. Significance of interaction between independent variable (gratitude) and moderator (social intelligence) was investigated for moderation analysis. Findings The findings reported partial mediating effect of all three dimensions of social intelligence. No significant moderation effect was observed. Originality/value This is one of the pioneer studies that explored interrelationship between gratitude, social intelligence and leadership among Indian University teachers.