Unveiling the role of emotional intelligence as a mediator between digital leadership and employee cynicism: a study in the private higher educational institutes

Purpose Leaders’ capacity to execute innovative and inspiring activities significantly impacts whether educational institutions succeed or fail. This paper aims to explore the gap in how digital leadership (DL) affects employee cynicism (EMPC) and emotional intelligence (EI). In addition, the moderating impact of EI on the association between DL and EMPC is examined in this study. Design/methodology/approach The researchers have used a quantitative approach based on cross-sectional data technique. This study examines the effects of DL at Pakistani private universities. All the teaching faculty of Pakistan’s private higher educational institutes like universities were the population of the study. While using random sampling, data were gathered from teaching faculty members of such universities. Hence, 366 usable cases were found usable for final data analysis. This study performed the path analysis through the Analysis of Moment Structures in structural equation modeling (SEM). Findings Results confirmed that the positive impact of DL among teaching faculty in private universities in Pakistan depends on the EMPC and EI. Overall, the findings are according to the estimates. SEM evaluates that DL significantly correlates with EMPC and EI. On the contrary, EI also significantly impacts EMPC. Furthermore, findings describe that EI significantly mediates the relationship between DL and EMPC. Practical implications Based on the research findings, the current issues about how DL can enhance the EMPC and EI in the private educational sector are addressed. It has been explored that academic leaders must demonstrate the techniques that build up strong EI among the teaching faculty to maintain a positive EMPC. The study results offer policymakers and academic authorities significant guidance who embrace technology and will effectively lead their educational institute to acquire educational resources to enhance student engagement and learning. It has also been found that the institutes are significantly impacted by DL, by the behavior and attitude of employees, managers and representatives, eventually. The employees’ attitude is majorly known as one reason that affects their productivity. Hence, this study can be found beneficial in establishing a supportive environment and identifying the leaders’ EI, which can reduce the issues of EMPC. Originality/value The findings of the study indicate that private educational institutes need to focus on enhancing the EI of their teaching faculty and give importance to faculty members’ abilities to deal with the new digital techniques to improve their effectiveness in terms of teaching methodology and maintaining the teacher-student relationship. According to the researchers’ knowledge, very few studies have examined the connection between DL, EMPC and EI. However, the association between DL and EMPC is examined for the first time in a specific Asian context, namely in Pakistan, with the mediating effect of EI. Therefore, understanding the effects of cynicisms will be a valuable addition to existing literature.