Title: Emotional intelligence in women leadership: mapping research pathways and insights for global business

Authors: Grisna Anggadwita; Bachruddin Saleh Luturlean; Ratri Wahyuningtyas; Arif Partono Prasetio

Addresses: School of Economics and Business, Telkom University, Bandung, 40257, Indonesia ' School of Economics and Business, Telkom University, Bandung, 40257, Indonesia ' School of Economics and Business, Telkom University, Bandung, 40257, Indonesia ' Deceased, formerly of: School of Economics and Business, Telkom University, Bandung, Indonesia

Abstract: This study aims to review and map literature on emotional intelligence in women's leadership, focusing on research trends, emotional intelligence measurement models, leadership styles, and future research directions. Using a bibliometric-systematic literature review (B-SLR), the study combines quantitative and qualitative methods. From the initial 641 articles retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science, 65 relevant articles were selected and examined through content analysis. Our findings indicate fluctuations in publication trends from 2003 to 2025, with a notable peak in 2024. Most studies were published in high-ranking business and management journals, demonstrating the topic's global significance. Research predominantly used quantitative methods and focused on individual-level analysis. Sixteen emotional intelligence models and 16 leadership styles relevant to women leaders were identified. The study highlights the need for further research on how emotional intelligence shapes women's leadership in a changing global business context and offers insights to guide future scholarly work.

Keywords: business landscape; emotional intelligence; gender differences; leadership style; women leadership.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGSB.2025.151847

International Journal of Globalisation and Small Business, 2025 Vol.15 No.3, pp.245 - 275

Received: 02 Oct 2024
Accepted: 11 Apr 2025
Published online: 23 Feb 2026 *

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