The Role of Leadership Emotional Intelligence in Shaping Employee Engagement and Organizational Commitment in IT Companies

Abstract

This research investigates the influence of leadership emotional intelligence (EI) on fostering employee engagement and enhancing organizational commitment in the information technology industry. The objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of different degrees of emotional intelligence in leaders on employee results, particularly focusing on engagement and commitment. Additionally, it seeks to investigate the moderating effects of various leadership styles, including transformational, transactional, and laissez-faire. A blended methodology was utilized, integrating numerical surveys alongside descriptive interviews to gather information. The study encompassed a total of 485 participants drawn from various IT companies across India. To evaluate the hypotheses and explore the connections between leadership emotional intelligence and employee results, various statistical methods were employed, encompassing descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and regression modeling. The qualitative data was examined through thematic analysis, concentrating on the perceptions and practices of leaders regarding emotional intelligence. The findings reveal robust positive associations between leadership emotional intelligence and both employee engagement (r = 0.72) and organizational commitment (r = 0.68). Furthermore, the results of the regression analysis indicate that emotional intelligence in leadership serves as a significant predictor for both employee engagement (β = 0.71, p < 0.001) and organizational commitment (β = 0.64, p < 0.001). Analysis of moderation indicates that transformational leadership enhances the beneficial impacts of emotional intelligence on both engagement and commitment. This research highlights the significance of emotional intelligence in leadership, as it plays a crucial role in elevating workplace interactions, boosting employee morale, and cultivating loyalty, particularly within the competitive realm of the IT sector.