Empathy, emotional intelligence and decision-making among managers of agro-industrial complex. The role of tolerance for uncertainty in decision-making

Abstract The article is devoted to the study of the peculiarities in decision-making by the managers of the agro-industrial complex enterprises. Managing agrarian enterprises is connected with the necessity of considering multiple factors and risks. Therefore, the decision-making under uncertainty and risk is often stressful. Recently, the study of the role of the emotional intelligence and tolerance for uncertainty in decision-making has become relevant and indispensable. The authors conducted the research using four techniques in two groups – managers and students of universities studying on programs involving the future management of people. The positive correlation between emotional intelligence measured by the MSCEIT test and the subjects’ age was established. A higher ability to emotional self-control according to the EmIn questionnaire and emotional intelligence according to the MSCEIT test among managers were revealed. Iowa Gambling Test showed significant differences in the preference for the winning decks both by gender (higher for men) and in groups – the students showed a lower degree of self-control, but a greater propensity for risk. People who seek certainty and clarity perceive their loss very unambiguously and try to avoid the risk of such an outcome in the future. Thus, the ability to understand and regulate emotions is important in the choice of solutions; therefore, emotional intelligence plays an important role in decision-making.