Telecommuting Intensity’s Impact on Job Satisfaction and Burnout: A Moderated Mediation Model of Work-Family Conflict and Emotional Intelligence

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine whether emotional intelligence moderated the mediating effect of work-family conflict on the relationship between telecommuting intensity and job satisfaction and burnout. This study used a non-experimental, crosssectional research design. A convenience sample of 369 faculty in higher education who lived and worked in the United States and responded to a recruitment message participated in this study. Participants accessed a survey in Qualtrics via a link provided in an email or accessible via electronic posting. We collected sociodemographic and jobrelated information in addition to information about telecommuting, work-family conflict, emotional intelligence, job satisfaction, and burnout. Results showed that telecommuting intensity had a significant predictive effect on work-family conflict and job satisfaction, exhaustion, and disengagement; work-family conflict played a mediating role in the relationship between telecommuting intensity and job satisfaction, exhaustion, and disengagement; emotional intelligence played a moderating role in the relationship between work-family conflict and disengagement, as well as the indirect negative relationship (via work-family conflict) between telecommuting intensity and disengagement. Findings from this study add to the research on the relationship between telecommuting intensity and job satisfaction, exhaustion, and disengagement. This study informs future research on the effects of telecommuting and provide ideas for workplace interventions to increase job satisfaction and reduce burnout among faculty in higher education.