Enhancing team effectiveness in high-performance IT environments: the role of emotional intelligence and communication quality through team cohesion in Dalian, China
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: This study examines the influence of emotional intelligence and communication quality on team effectiveness in high-performance work environments, with team cohesion acting as a mediator. The focus of the research is on the information technology (IT) industry in Dalian, China, where companies face high competition and rapid advancements in technology. A quantitative, cross-sectional research design was utilised, and data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to 350 employees. IBM SPSS was used for preliminary data screening and descriptive analysis, while SmartPLS was used to carry out Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings show that emotional intelligence and communication quality have significant positive impacts on team effectiveness. Emotional intelligence was the strongest predictor of both team cohesion and team effectiveness. Communication quality was also found to significantly enhance team cohesion and team effectiveness. Team cohesion partially mediated the relationships between emotional intelligence and team effectiveness, and also between communication quality and team effectiveness. The study concludes that effective team performance in high-performance IT environments depends not only on technical capabilities but also on interpersonal and relational factors. Team cohesion serves as a mediating mechanism through which emotional intelligence and communication quality enhance team effectiveness.
DOI: 10.18282/hrms6086
Authors: Keji Chen, Rosmelisa Yusof
Institution: Universiti Sains Malaysia
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7224814007