In today’s volatile and uncertain work environments, emotional and psychological competencies are essential to organizational sustainability. Emotional Intelligence (EI)—the capacity to perceive, regulate, and respond to emotional stimuli—has emerged as a key driver of workplace resilience. This conceptual paper offers a multilevel theoretical synthesis of the EI–resilience relationship by integrating insights from emotional intelligence theory, psychological capital, and socio-ecological systems thinking.

The study proposes a three-level conceptual model in which emotionally intelligent behaviors enhance resilience at the individual (e.g., emotional regulation), relational (e.g., empathy and collaboration), and systemic levels (e.g., inclusive platform governance). Special attention is given to emerging work structures, particularly the gig economy, where resilience is shaped not only by internal traits but also by knowledge ecosystems, ethical design, and social networks. Drawing on recent research (Swain & Jena, 2023; Panigrahi & Swain, 2023, 2025), the model positions EI as both a precursor and moderator of resilience across these layers.

The paper contributes to evolving discussions on emotional sustainability by redefining resilience as a distributed capability shaped by emotionally intelligent individuals and emotionally responsive systems. It offers practical insights for leadership, digital work design, and the development of emotionally sustainable organizations.