Assessing the Relationship Between Spiritual Intelligence, Organisational Culture, and Employee Performance in Real Estate Companies in Dubai

Abstract

This thesis investigates the impact of spiritual intelligence on employee performance in Dubai-based real estate companies. The objectives of this thesis are to investigate the direct effects of spiritual intelligence on employee performance, as well as the mediating role of organisational culture on the relationship between spiritual intelligence and employee performance, and the type of organisational cultures that have this mediation effect. The study uses a quantitative approach, with data collected via online questionnaires from full-time employees in Dubai-based real estate companies. The sampling technique used in this research is simple random probability sampling. Data were collected from 232 respondents who are full-time employees of real estate companies in Dubai, with 70 indicator questions measuring spiritual intelligence, organisational culture, and employee performance. Data analysis such as regression, path, and mediation analysis were done using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS). The findings of the research indicate that there is a direct relationship between spiritual intelligence and employee performance. Moreover, the findings show that organisational culture partially mediates the relationship between spiritual intelligence and employee performance. However, not all types of organisational culture have a mediation effect on the relationship between spiritual intelligence and employee performance. Cultures that prioritise certain values and behaviours, such as rewards, stability, and performance orientation, create an environment where spiritual intelligence translates more effectively into improved performance. Conversely, cultures that are highly competitive or focused on social responsibility may not facilitate the same effect, weakening the transmission of spiritual intelligence into performance outcomes. This research contributes to existing knowledge at the theoretical level, through the validation of existing tools to measure spiritual intelligence, organisational culture, and employee performance. At the empirical level, this study is one of the first to investigate the impact of spiritual intelligence on employee performance in real estate organisations in Dubai, as well as the mechanism by which each type of organisational culture influences employee performance.