Systematic Literature Review: The Mediating Role of Meaningful Work Perception in the Emotional Intelligence-Job Satisfaction-Retention Nexus: A Gen Z Hospitality Industry Study
Keywords:
emotional intelligence, job satisfaction, meaningful work, employee retention, Generation Z, hospitality industry, HRM practices, organizational behavior
Abstract
This systematic literature review examines the relationships between emotional intelligence (EI), job satisfaction (JS), and employee retention in the hospitality industry, emphasizing the mediating role of meaningful work perception (MWP) among Generation Z employees. The hospitality sector faces increasing retention challenges as younger workers prioritize meaningful work, psychological wellbeing, and organizational values over traditional compensation. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, this review analyzed 40 peer-reviewed empirical and conceptual studies from Scopus, Web of Science, Emerald, and Google Scholar published between 2021–2026. Most studies (60%) were published during 2024-2026, with 90% applying empirical methods and average sample sizes of 280 respondents. The findings indicate that emotional intelligence positively influences job satisfaction, while meaningful work acts as a significant mediator linking emotional intelligence, job satisfaction, and employee retention. Generation Z employees strongly value purpose-driven work, flexibility, and authentic leadership. Emotional intelligence development and supportive organizational cultures significantly reduce turnover intention. This review integrates Social Exchange Theory, Self-Determination Theory, and the Job Demands- Resources framework to propose a sequential mediation model in which leadership and HRM practices enhance emotional intelligence, foster meaningful work perception, improve job satisfaction, and strengthen employee retention. The study highlights the importance of integrated strategies combining emotional intelligence development, meaningful work cultivation, flexible work systems, and values-based leadership to retain Generation Z talent in the hospitality industry.
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Abebe, D. W., & Singh, D. (2023). The relationship between emotional intelligence, job satisfaction, and job performance: Empirical evidence from public higher education institutions. European Journal of Business and Management Research.
Amani, D. (2025). Survival of the fittest: Nurturing employee psychological resilience through the interplay of employees’ religiosity and emotional intelligence in hospitality industry. International Hospitality Review.
Anggapradja, I. T., & Marianti, M. M. (2024). Job satisfaction gen-z: A systematic literature review. Nomico.
Aspasya, D. P., Yakin, I., Jaya, A., Rosnani, T., & Hasanudin, H. (2026). Commitment battles gen z turnover: Fueled by development and satisfaction to stay. Studi Ilmu Manajemen Dan Organisasi.
Audillah, F. D., Puruwita, D., & Lutfia, A. (2025). Pengaruh work life balance terhadap job satisfaction melalui employee engagement pada karyawan gen z. Jurnal Ilmiah Manajemen Dan Kewirausahaan.
B, S. (2025). Agility in the workplace: A conceptual framework for understanding gen z workforce engagement. International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research.
Chapagain, A., Bhattarai, U., Timsina, B., & Simkhada, B. (2025). Psychological empowerment and performance of millennials and generation z employees in the IT sector: Mediating role of affective commitment. Quest Journal of Management and Social Sciences.
Dieguez, T., & Loureiro, P. (2025). The new workforce: Retention strategies for gen z engineers in a digital era. International Journal of Future Engineering Innovations.
Djibran, F. (2025). Gen z job stress in high regulated work environment case from bank industry. Global Leadership Organizational Research in
Management.
Doan, H. H., & Wu, W. (2025). The impact of leadership styles on learning and work outcomes of generation z employees: A systematic literature review. Learning Organization.
E, Ü., ÖA, T., & H, A. (2025). The cost of smile: How individual and organizational factors moderate the impact of emotional labor on work alienation via burnout.
Ganguli, R., & Padhy, S. C. (2023). Moderating effect of demographic factors on the relationship between work motivation and employee retention of gen z.
NMIMS Management Review.
Ghosh, Prof. A., & Abhijit Pakira, Prof. (Dr.). (2025). Harmonizing hospitality: A conceptual framework for HRM practices in the service industry. International Journal of Innovative Research and Creative Technology.
Gupta, S., & Kumar, A. (2025). Study on significance of emotional intelligence in the indian ministry of tourism classified hotels. International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research.
Guslina, I., Rinzani, A., Mantong, J., Moeins, A., & Kabul, E. R. (2025). A quantitative study on leadership and gen z”s job satisfaction: Its impact on employee retention in the private sector in indonesia. International Journal of Accounting and Economics Studies.
Hardi, I. H., & Satrya, A. (2025). Work meaning and justice in gen z: The mediating role of engagement in turnover intention. Jurnal Manajemen Bisnis.
Herliani, H., & Priscilla, Y. G. (2025). Faktor – faktor yang mempengaruhi perilaku kerja gen z terhadap kinerja karyawan. Jurnal Manajerial.
Iqbal, N. (2023). Relationship Between Job Related Factors And Emotional Intelligence: A Study On Hospitality Industry Managers.
Jasmine, J. A., & Utomo, P. (2024). The role of transformational leadership, worklife balance, and employee engagement on gen z’s organizational commitment in the indonesian creative industry. Problems and Perspectives in Management. Journal of Economics and Management Research.
Rohayati, T., Destalani, A. A., Arizka, H. D., Fahrezi, M. D., & Dwidenawati, D. (2023). Impact of job satisfaction, positive organizational culture and meaningful work on turnover intention in gen z. WSEAS Transactions on Systems.
Kimonyo, T. (2025). Influence of strategic leadership on generation z employees:
A strategic approach to organizational performance. European Journal of
Business and Strategic Management.
Kraght, H., & Brøndum, L. (2025). Bridging the generational divide: Soft skills and value perceptions of gen z in the workforce. Journal of Innovation in Polytechnic Education.
Lama, A., & Karki, S. (2025). Emotional intelligence and customer orientation: Unveiling the power of salespeople in nepalese hospitality industry. Nepalese Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management.
Lazuardi, M. A. L., Hasanudin, & Yakin, I. (2025). Work flexibility and rewards affect gen z employee retention through job satisfaction mediation. International Journal of Economics, Business Management and Accounting (IJEBMA).
Li, Y., & Li, Z. (2025). The Impact Of Personal And Environment Fitness On The Job Prosperity Of Gen Z Employees: Based On Self-Determination
Miao, C., Humphrey, R., & Qian, S. (2021). Emotional intelligence and job performance in the hospitality industry: A meta-analytic review.
International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management.
MIR INDIA. Geo Journal of Tourism and Geosites.
Mir, R., & Rastogi, E. (2025). Mitigating Employee Turnover In Hospitality
Novanantha, E., & Febriansyah, H. (2025). Key drivers of gen z employee retention in indonesia”s heavy equipment industry. Journal Integration of Management Studies.
Patadungan, E., marniati, M., & Octavia, F. (2026). The effect of work-life balance and job satisfaction on the loyalty of gen z employees in north toraja regency. International Revista de Turism: Studii Si Cercetari in Turism.
Rohmanulloh, A., Murwani, F. D., & Wardana, L. (2026). The role of work engagement mediation in the influence of transformational leadership and job satisfaction on educated generation z employees” intentions to stay in their jobs. JMKSP (Jurnal Manajemen Kepemimpinan Dan Supervisi Pendidikan).
Rurkkhum, S., & Detnakarin, S. (2024). Employee withdrawal behavior during forced remote work: The roles of perceived organizational support and meaningful work. International Journal of Organization Theory &Amp; Behavior.
S, T., & M, D. (2025). The role of emotional intelligence in enhancing life satisfaction among hospitality professionals in india.
Saragih, R. S., Manalu, A. S., Sirait, E., Purba, A. T., Sihombing, L. L., & Simarmata, P. P. (2026). Employee engagement and work–life balance effects on turnover intention:
Shehawy, Y. M. (2021). Current workplace issues and behaviours in tourism and hospitality: Moderating role of empowering leadership. Current Issues in Tourism.
Sihite, M., & Damanik, L. G. S. (2025). Exploring the influence of purpose-driven culture, work-life integration, and digital competency on gen z employee retention. International Journal of Business, Law, and Education. Socio-Economic Dynamics.
Sukhragchaa, A., Munkhuu, B., & Badarch, L. (2021). Impact of hotel employee’s emotional intelligence on emotional labor and job satisfaction. Jurnal Ilmiah Peuradeun.
The intervening role of rewards among gen z employees. Jurnal Manajemen
Kreatif Dan Inovasi.
THEORY AND PERSONAL GROWTH MODELS. The EUrASEANs: Journal
on Global
Traymbak, S., Sharma, A., & Dutta, M. (2022). Reliability and construct validity assessment of wong and law emotional intelligence scale and satisfaction with life scale in the indian hospitality industry. Annals of Neurosciences.
Tyagi, A., Rana, G., & Verma, M. (2025). Job satisfaction: Key factors and unique challenges for gen z in india’s retail and healthcare sectors. Journal of
Informatics Education and Research.
Verma, R., & Agrawal, A. K. (2025). Emotional labor in the food and beverage sector: Impacts, challenges, and organizational interventions. Journal of Science Innovations and Nature of Earth.
Westover, J. H. (2024). Gen z and the rise of conscious quitting: Helping employees find meaningful work through values-aligned leadership. Human Capital Leadership Review.
Woime, A., & Shato, G. A. (2025). The role of emotional intelligence and conflict management in job satisfaction and teamwork: A systematic review. Public
Health Challenges.
X, Z., & S, Y. (2025). From leadership humility to customer satisfaction: A study of employee engagement in the chinese service industry.
Published
2026-06-17
How to Cite
Hendirian Kelpin, Roby Sambung, M. Rizki Saputra, Ridwan Rifky, Yunita Dewi, & Melkysedhek Pardede. (2026). Systematic Literature Review: The Mediating Role of Meaningful Work Perception in the Emotional Intelligence-Job Satisfaction-Retention Nexus: A Gen Z Hospitality Industry Study. International Journal of Economics, Business and Innovation Research, 5(04), 1335-1354. https://doi.org/10.63922/ijebir.v5i04.4252
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