The Mediating Role of Follower Orientation, Self-Regulation Between Emotional Intelligence and Internalization of Higher Education

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the mediating effect of self-regulation and follower orientation on the relationship between emotional intelligence and internationalization of higher education. The study used non-experimental quantitative approach for data analysis. The data was collected from top five universities of Malaysia (n = 210) and was analysed using partial least square structural equation modelling. The results revealed that emotional intelligence is positively and significantly related to internationalization of higher education. The relationship of emotional intelligence with self-regulation and follower orientation was also positive and significant. Moreover, the findings revealed that follower orientation significantly mediates the relationship between emotional intelligence and internationalization of higher education. However, in contrast to our expectation, the relationship between emotional intelligence and internationalization was not mediated by self-regulation. The results, discussion, theoretical and practical implications of the study and direction for future research are discussed.