Title: How entrepreneurial leaders use emotional labour to improve employee attitudes and firm performance

Authors: John H. Batchelor; Ronald H. Humphrey; Gerald F. Burch

Addresses: University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL 32514, USA ' University of Lancaster, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4YW, UK ' Texas A&M – Commerce, TX 75428, USA

Abstract: This study takes a deep look at how entrepreneurial leaders use all three forms of emotional labour. The results from this analysis of 147 dyadic pairs of entrepreneurial leaders and their subordinates are presented herein. This study is the first to investigate the relationship between emotional labour strategy and the display of discrete genuine emotions (enthusiasm, liking, irritation). Leader genuine emotional labour and leader displays of positive discrete emotions were positively correlated with employee job satisfaction, affective commitment, and lower intentions to quit. Additionally, this study provides empirical evidence that the display of discrete emotions moderates the effects of leader genuine emotion on firm performance. From a practical standpoint this study benefits entrepreneurs by outlining emotionally healthy methods to display the appropriate emotions when interacting with stakeholders to enhance firm performance.

Keywords: entrepreneurship; emotion; emotional labour; leadership; firm performance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJWOE.2018.097190

International Journal of Work Organisation and Emotion, 2018 Vol.9 No.4, pp.383 - 403

Accepted: 01 Oct 2018
Published online: 02 Jan 2019 *

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