Political Skill Improves the Effectiveness of Emotional Intelligence: Bayesian Network Analysis in the Construction Industry

Abstract

Political conduct is a normal occurrence in every organization in today's business environment. The political environment in the construction industry is particularly problematic because of the engagement of many stakeholders with distinct expectations and agendas, along with the limited control of project personnel over influential stakeholders. Today, political skill and emotional intelligence are considered to be crucial skills in managing complex interpersonal relationships at work. Therefore, this research investigated the relationship between the two in the context of the construction industry. Data were collected from 273 project personnel working in construction projects in Australia and a Bayesian network was used to analyze the data. This research found that political skill was the precursor of emotional intelligence. Therefore, in the construction industry context, project personnel should exercise their political skill to improve the effectiveness of emotional intelligence when managing stakeholder relationships. Construction organizations could use this finding in their human resource management process when recruiting or promoting individuals to higher managerial levels.