Demystifying the Role of Emotions in Decision-Making Sciences

Abstract

Modern studies have asserted the role of emotions on decision-making abilities. The study examines the role of emotional intelligence on decision styles of managers and the mediating role of emotional labor in enhancing decision styles of managers in selected Indian IT firms. The research is an empirical study proposing an affective EI-EL-DM model through a survey of 300 managers of 10 MNCs in the Indian IT industry using stratified sampling technique. The survey instrument includes 83 items with Schutte et al. AES tool, Naring et al. D-QEL tool, and Scott and Bruce GDMS. Middle-level IT managers have been found to frequently, leading to avoidant, spontaneous, or dependent decision-making yielding adverse outcomes. High EI is related to frequent usage of rational and intuitive decisions besides effective use of deep acting. Emotional labour influences all decision-making abilities. HR practices are recommended to improve the decision styles of IT managers through high EI and EL.