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

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.