Emotional Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Talent Management - An Empirical Study on IT sector

Abstract

Purpose – This study is to investigate how ‘Emotional Artificial Intelligence’ (‘EAI’), defined as the integration of ‘Emotional Intelligence’ (‘EI’) into ‘Artificial Intelligence’ (‘AI’), drives sustainable talent management (STM) outcomes for ‘the Information Technology (IT) sector.’

Methodology – The study explores the potential of EAI to ensure STM outcomes in the IT sector. Latent constructs were derived through literature review and hypotheses, and initial conceptual model was developed. Sets of questionnaires were designed, and data were collected from 226 IT professionals between September and October 2025 for this quantitative study. The measurement model was statistically validated using exploration by EFA and provisional testing of model fit through CFA, followed by ‘covariance-based structural equation modelling (CB-SEM)’ to evaluate the proposed relationship with constructs.

Findings – The study indicates that EAI comprises two correlated factors, namely Adaptive Intelligence and Affective Intelligence. It was found that the two-dimensional EAI do not have a statistically correct direct impact on STM, however Adaptive Intelligence is the main driver for achieving STM outcomes only when the organization is infrastructurally ready. On the other hand, despite increasing employee satisfaction, Affective Intelligence has a very low impact on STM outcomes.

Research Limitations – This study broadly examines the effect of EAI on generic TM practices within the IT sector. Future research could examine the specific areas of the IT industry such as technical skill acquisition, agile team collaboration, leadership development, etc. Two separate sample size could be more appropriate to conduct EFA and CFA separately.

Practical application – This study introduces Emotional Artificial Intelligence (EAI) into the TM discourse specifically within the IT sector. The true effect of EAI depends on its systematic implementation within the organizational structure. These results will help IT industries leverage EAI in the context of STM to fulfill their expected outcomes.

Originality/Novelty – This study unfolds a novel path towards the adoption of EAI in TM practices for the IT sector by revealing the different dimensions of EAI-aided technologies and their influence on organizational effectiveness.