The Mediating Role of External Factors and Managerial Innovation Level on the Relationship of Emotional Intelligence and Human Capital Performance

Purpose: This research aims to examine whether managerial innovative practices, the influence of external factors and the level of uncertainty in the external environment influence/alter the relationship between emotional intelligence and human capital performance. Design/methodology/approach: This study will assess the impact of three specific mediators on the positive expected relationship between emotional intelligence and human capital performance. This is quantitative research with the use of questionnaires on a random sample of 236 managers of small-sized units who work in businesses that are occupied with the organization of several sports, tourism and cultural event projects. Findings: Managerial innovative practices were found to be positively associated with emotional intelligence, but also with the performance of human capital. Therefore, managers with high levels of emotional intelligence tend to apply managerial innovative practices to a greater extent. Both the influence of external factors and the level of uncertainty in the external environment, slightly alter the relationship of emotional intelligence with the performance of human capital, but at the same time, keeping it at relatively similar levels. Originality: Several studies have shown both the influence of emotional intelligence on the performance of human capital, and the positive effect of managerial innovative practices. However, no previous research effort examines simultaneously the influence of emotional intelligence with the simultaneous effect of managerial innovative practices on human capital performance. Also, linking an organization’s performance to changes in the external environment is rare, as the independence and lack of control affect the immediacy of the connection.