Does Emotional Intelligence Contribute to Quality of Strategic Decisions? The Mediating Role of Open Innovation

Purpose—The purpose of this research is to explore the direct relationship between the emotional intelligence of top management and the quality of strategic decisions they take for their companies. This relationship is further examined by the mediating role of open innovation in the context of intelligent information systems that can impact the way top managers take decisions. This research adopted a survey design as cross-sectional data were taken through questionnaires from top management of the UAE national banks. A final sample size of 213 questionnaires completed by managers was obtained and analyzed. As predicted, there was a strong, positive relationship between managers’ emotional intelligence and the quality of their strategic decisions. Open innovation has revolutionized the way top managers of banks take decisions that are later transformed into policies. Decision-makers are required to possess the skill of decision-making by being vigilant of their surroundings. Hence, they have emotional intelligence and intelligent information systems (IIS) only enhances the trait. IIS is the glorified version of open innovation that further contributes to the decision-making process and the quality of decisions. This research is one of a kind as no one has explored these dimensions of emotional intelligence in the UAE.