Emotional intelligence components and ethical judgment levels of independent auditors: The moderating role of extraversion
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Received September 9, 2025;Accepted November 26, 2025;Published December 9, 2025
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Author(s)Yusuf KurtLink to ORCID Index: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1071-4205
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Václav KupecLink to ORCID Index: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3731-994X
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Alp AytaçLink to ORCID Index: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4949-4884
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DOIhttp://dx.doi.org/10.21511/afc.06(1).2025.11
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Article InfoVolume 6 2025, Issue #1, pp. 123-139
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Type of the article: Research Article
Auditors’ ethical judgments are central to the credibility of financial reporting and the preservation of public trust. While technical expertise is essential, it is not sufficient on its own, as auditors often work under intense pressure, uncertainty, and complex social interactions where emotions play a significant role in shaping decisions. Drawing on Rest’s four-component model of moral functioning, the study investigates how four EI subdimensions (emotional evaluation, empathic sensitivity, positive emotional management, and positive use of emotions) shape auditors’ ethical decision-making. Data were collected from 207 auditors through validated survey instruments and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The population of the study consists of participants who have an independent auditor certificate and operate in Türkiye. Empirical study was conducted over a three-month period, beginning in December 2024 and ending in February 2025. Results indicate that emotional evaluation and the positive use of emotions significantly predict ethical judgment, underscoring the importance of recognizing emotional cues and leveraging positive affect in promoting ethical vigilance. By contrast, empathic sensitivity and emotional management did not demonstrate significant effects, suggesting that empathy and self-regulation may play a lesser role in highly regulated professional contexts. Extraversion did not moderate any of the hypothesized relationships, challenging assumptions about the amplifying role of personality traits in the application of EI. The findings extend emotional intelligence theory by highlighting its selective and context-dependent impact on ethics, while also offering practical insights for auditor training and regulatory policies aimed at strengthening professional skepticism and ethical conduct.
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JEL Classification (Paper profile tab)M42, D91, D81
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References73
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Tables8
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Figures2
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- Figure 1. Structural equation model
- Figure 2. Structural equation modeling analysis result
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- Table 1. Literature review
- Table 2. Demographic information
- Table 3. Factor loadings, reliability levels and explained average variances of the scales
- Table 4. Fornell and Larcker test results
- Table 5. Discriminant validity results according to the HTMT criterion
- Table 6. PLS-SEM analysis results
- Table A1. Demographic information
- Table A2. Scale groups and questions
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Conceptualization
Yusuf Kurt
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Data curation
Yusuf Kurt
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Investigation
Yusuf Kurt
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Methodology
Yusuf Kurt
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Writing – original draft
Yusuf Kurt
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Formal Analysis
Václav Kupec
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Project administration
Václav Kupec
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Resources
Václav Kupec
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Supervision
Václav Kupec
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Writing – review & editing
Václav Kupec, Alp Aytaç
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Funding acquisition
Alp Aytaç
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Validation
Alp Aytaç
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Software
Alp Aytaç
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Visualization
Alp Aytaç
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Conceptualization
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The impact of emotional intelligence, employee empowerment and cultural intelligence on commercial bank employees’ job satisfaction
Ayeasha Akhter
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Md. Mobarak Karim
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K. M. Anwarul Islam
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.21511/bbs.16(4).2021.02
Banks and Bank Systems Volume 16, 2021 Issue #4 pp. 11-21 Views: 2940 Downloads: 898 TO CITE АНОТАЦІЯThis paper aims to examine the impact of emotional intelligence (EQ), employee empowerment (EE), and cultural intelligence (CQ) on commercial bank employees’ job satisfaction in Bangladesh. For this purpose, a survey questionnaire was developed based on pre-tested constructs. The study used a convenience sampling technique, supplemented by a non-probability sampling method. 200 bank employees were invited to participate in the survey; finally, 130 responses were received as fully complete, with a 65% response rate. Hence, the sample size is n = 130. Cronbach’s alpha value was used to determine the internal consistency of the study constructs. SPSS version 26.0 was used to analyze the correlation test and hypotheses test. The findings show that emotional intelligence (EQ) with a beta (β) value of 0.510 has a statistical and positive effect on bank employees’ job satisfaction. Also, employee empowerment (EE) with a beta value of (β) 0.418 and cultural intelligence (CQ) with a beta (β) of 0.372 were found to be significant predictors of job satisfaction. This indicates that bank managers should utilize EQ and CQ to increase bank employee satisfaction and focus on employee engagement at the workplace. According to the study, if bank employees become more emotionally stable and culturally intelligent at their workplace, they will be more satisfied with their current jobs. Besides, if bank employees are given more opportunities to carry out their job responsibilities, they will be more satisfied with their jobs. The paper outlines several significant implications for commercial bank managers and offers some notable directions for future research.
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The mediating role of emotional intelligence in the employees performance
Arief Tukiman Hendrawijaya
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Tatang Ary Gumanti
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Sasongko ,
Zarah Puspitaningtyas
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.21511/ppm.16(1).2018.14
Problems and Perspectives in Management Volume 16, 2018 Issue #1 pp. 145-154 Views: 2524 Downloads: 1005 TO CITE АНОТАЦІЯThis study investigates the mediating effect of emotional intelligence on the relationship between motivation, compensation, satisfaction, work climate and employees’ performance. The sample consists of 96 field officials who were the government employees specializing in coping with the eradication of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) in the district of Jember, Indonesia. Results using path analysis reveal that all examined variables positively and significantly affect employees’ performance. The study finds that emotional intelligence mediates the relationship of work motivation, compensation, work satisfaction, and work climate with employees’ performance.
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Factors affecting the application of IFRS through the perceptions of business managers and auditors in Vietnam
Dung-Thi Doan , Lan-Ngoc Thi Nguyen , Hai Phan Thanh
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.21511/ppm.18(1).2020.32
Problems and Perspectives in Management Volume 18, 2020 Issue #1 pp. 371-384 Views: 2282 Downloads: 585 TO CITE АНОТАЦІЯThe purpose of this study is to determine the factors that influence the application of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in Vietnam through the perceptions of business managers and auditors. Combining qualitative and quantitative research methods based on a comprehensive analysis and aggregation of information available from various sources, the results of the questionnaire interviews of 500 managers and auditors currently working in Vietnam are offered. The results of the study show that factors affecting the applicability of IFRS in Vietnam are: legal basis for accounting activities; characteristics of enterprises; qualification and competency of the accounting teams; and corporate governance. The study also finds that governance factors and socio-economic and cultural conditions have an uncertain influence on the IFRS applicability. At the same time, there is no significant difference in awareness of the ability to apply IFRS between the group of enterprise managers and auditors and groups of people with different work experience. Among them, the qualifications and competencies of the accountant teams and the characteristics of enterprises are the two factors that have the strongest impact on the applicability of IFRS in Vietnam.

