Ethical Leadership: A Culturally Endorsed Framework

Abstract

This paper seeks to develop a conceptual framework of leadership from the ideologies of a South Asian literature. The study addresses the concern of previous researchers that existing leadership theories originated in the Western world with the values and morals of those countries are questionable in their applicability in different geographic settings and cultural contexts. As previous studies failed to validate the universality of these theories, this study attempts to identify the existence of any cultural specific framework. Content analysis and concept mapping are used to explore the inherent theoretical perspectives. The findings suggest that the leadership success is an outcome of a holistic and cooperative effort and every member of an organization plays an important role in making it happen where ethics and noble values should be the core. The framework implies that leadership is a holistic phenomenon and highlights the importance of a collective effort in organizational leadership and success.