The Effects of Perceived Leader Emotional Intelligence and Group Prototypicality on Subordinate Whistleblowing Intentions

Abstract

ABSTRACT While prior research has examined the impact of ethical leadership on subordinates' whistleblowing intentions, a leader's specific characteristics, such as emotional intelligence and group prototypicality, are underexplored. As with leadership style, they can play an important role in creating a control environment that facilitates fraud prevention, detection, and deterrence. This study examines the effects of perceived leader emotional intelligence and group prototypicality on the subordinate's intention to blow the whistle to the leader. Results indicate that a subordinate is more likely to blow the whistle when the leader is perceived as having high emotional intelligence or group prototypicality. Both relationships are mediated by the subordinate's trust in the leader. Moreover, the mediating effect of the subordinate's trust in the leader on the relationship between perceived leader emotional intelligence and subordinate whistleblowing intentions is stronger when the leader's group prototypicality is high. Academic and practical implications are discussed in the paper. Data Availability: Data are available upon request.