Purpose – This study aims to examined the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI),
self-efficacy and two outcome variables: in-role performance and organizational citizenship behavior
(OCB). The study also examined whether burnout mediates this relationship. The target population
included Arab teachers in Israel.
Design/methodology/approach – A survey was performed. Usable questionnaires were returned
by 221 teachers; therefore, the response rate was 88 per cent.
Findings – Hierarchical linear models and mediation analyses showed that EI and self-efficacy are
related to OCB, and in-role performance and burnout have a strong and negative relationship with the
outcome variables. Mediation analysis using Preacher and Hayes’s (2004, 2008) approach showed that
burnout mediates the relationship of EI and self-efficacy with the three outcome variables.
Practical implications – The findings emphasize the role of the two personal variables examined
here as important determinants of job performance and OCB, and demonstrate the importance of
burnout in understanding OCB.
Originality/value – This study will contribute to the literature on OCB and work performance by
examining the rarely researched relationships between EI and self-efficacy, on the one hand, and
between OCB and in-role performance, on the other. Further, this study will argue that burnout mediates
the relationship between these personal and outcome variables.
Keywords Burnout, Emotional intelligence, Teachers, Self-efficacy, In-role performance,
Organizational citizenship behavior