Emotional Intelligence and Project Success in High Rise Commercial Construction Projects: The Roles of Team Cohesion and Project Complexity in Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

High rise commercial construction projects in Punjab, Pakistan demand more than technical prowess; they hinge on the human ability to orchestrate diverse teams under pressure. This study explores how a project manager’s emotional intelligence (EI) shapes project success in 65 commercial towers built between 2019 and 2024. Drawing on the ability EI framework, we modelled EI’s direct influence and its indirect effect through team cohesion, while testing project complexity as a contextual amplifier. Survey data from 200 professionals were analysed with partial least squares structural equation modelling. Results show that EI significantly improves schedule, cost, quality, and stakeholder outcomes, with nearly two fifths of the effect conveyed by stronger team cohesion. Moreover, EI’s positive impact intensifies as structural, organisational, and regulatory complexity rises. The model accounts for over half the variance in project success, underscoring the strategic value of emotional competence in emerging economy megaprojects. Findings guide contractors toward EI based leadership development and complexity sensitive staffing to elevate delivery performance.