Antisocial behavior at work: The role of emotional intelligence, process conflict and LMX

Abstract

Antisocial behavior at work is costly in terms of lost productivity and lower workplace morale. We develop a model proposing that an employees' emotional intelligence predicts their antisocial behavior and perceptions of process conflict mediates this relationship, while the quality of Leader Member Exchange (LMX) moderates the process conflict-antisocial behavior relationship. A sample of 578 employees completed questionnaires over two time periods. Our data confirm that process conflict in the team, and the quality of LMX, determine how emotional intelligence decreases antisocial behavior. Contributions to theory and practice are outlined and limitations and future directions for this research are discussed.