The role of emotional intelligence on the performance of real estate agents in Prishtina, Kosovo

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to explore the effect of emotional intelligence (EI) on the performance of real estate agents in Prishtina, Kosovo. The study also investigated the relationship of each dimension of emotional intelligence with the real estate agent's performance (REAP) in Prishtina, which is the city with the largest number of real estate agents in Kosovo.Design/methodology/approachThe present study used quantitative research with the questionnaire used as a research instrument. The questionnaire survey was conducted with 78 real estate agents in Prishtina, Kosovo. The sampling method used in this research was random sampling.FindingsThe findings of this study indicated that emotional intelligence has a significant impact on the job performance of real estate agents. The study also found that relationship management (RM) and social awareness (SOA) have a strong effect on real estate agents' performance, whereas self-awareness (SA) does not seem to have any statistically significant explanatory power over REAP.Research limitations/implicationsThis study can be utilized as a landmark for agents of real estate on understanding how the agents can use emotional intelligence in agents' favor by pointing out the prominence of EI in realizing the needs and desires of the potential buyers and the influence EI has on the decision to buy property. Furthermore, through this study, the real estate agencies will be provided with multiple reasons that substantiate the necessity to hire emotionally trained agents, and besides professional preparation, the companies must provide employees with behavioral training.Originality/valueThe present study is the first quantification of the impact of emotional intelligence and dimensions of emotional intelligence on the performance of Prishtina's real estate agents.