Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-2026

Keywords

Software development teams, Emotional intelligence, Knowledge sharing, Team performance, Generalized structural equation modeling

Abstract

Emotional intelligence (EI) plays a crucial role in managing emotions within software development (SD) teams, which often face challenges such as stress and anxiety. EI can enhance knowledge sharing (KS) and team performance, contributing to the success of SD projects. This paper examines EI in terms of four aspects - awareness and management of own and others' emotions - and investigates how they affect KS and team performance. The study is based on survey data from 357 individuals in 86 teams at seven large companies in the United States. Multilevel modeling, specifically using Generalized Structural Equation Modeling in Stata 19, with individuals nested within teams and teams nested within companies, is used to test the theoretical model. Results indicate that awareness of both own and others' emotions facilitates management of both own and others' emotions. Management of others' emotions facilitates both KS and team performance. Surprisingly, awareness of own emotions also facilitates both aspects, whereas management of own emotions affects neither. Finally, awareness of others' emotions inhibits knowledge sharing. The paper's findings are limited by its focus on large companies in the United States and cross-sectional design and should be replicated in other settings. Despite these limitations, the paper's expected as well as unexpected findings have potential theoretical and practical implications.

Comments

Web of Science

Elsevier

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