Ethical Leadership Research Articles

Influence of perceived congruence in basic moral values on perceived level of ethical leadership: A Russophone organization case

Background This study investigates the influence of perceived follower–leader congruence in basic moral behaviors, as defined by the morality-as-cooperation theory (MAC), on the perceived level of ethical leadership. Although important for the leadership theory and practice, this association is scarcely covered by the literature. Methods The study employed a mixed-methods approach, consisting of a one-site quantitative survey in Phase 1 carried out in a Russophone logistics company, and a follow-up series of semi-structured interviews within the same population in Phase 2. Results The results of Phase 1 showed a moderate positive correlation (r(54) = [.34;.64], p < .05) between perceived congruence in each MAC element and the perceived level of ethical leadership, whereas the findings from Phase 2 demonstrated that this association is causal. Moreover, the research unexpectedly revealed that the influence of the congruence in care for kin, heroism, and deference is mediated by the congruence in loyalty to the group and reciprocity, with the significance level at p < .05 for all indirect effects. The study also found a moderating role of duration of leader’s moral behavior observation by followers. Conclusions This research advances ethical leadership literature by applying the MAC theory to studying the antecedents of the perceived leaders’ ethicality and revealing the mediating role of some basic moral values in assessing a leader’s ethicality. Besides, the study contributes to the cross-cultural validity of both MAC and ethical leadership theories by testing the respective instruments in a Russophone organization.

REIMAGINING ISLAMIC DISCOURSE: TOWARDS A GLOBAL ETHICAL FRAMEWORK FOR CONTEMPORARY LEADERSHIP

In relation to current issues facing global civilisations, there is a crucial need to highlight the Islamic paradigm in dealing with such challenges. This study explores the necessity of encouraging Islamic dialogue to promote stronger connections and involvement with worldwide cultures. This research explores how ethical leadership in Islamic thinking might help create a more inclusive, compassionate, and morally grounded global society. This study examines the fundamental principles of ethical leadership in Islam by combining classical Islamic sources, modern scholarship, and real-world case studies. The text explores the various aspects of ethical leadership, including qualities like integrity, justice, compassion, and accountability, as taught in Islamic principles and demonstrated by individuals in history. It also examines how these principles might be used to tackle current concerns that global civilisations are dealing with, such as governance, social justice, environmental protection, and interfaith cooperation. This research uses an interdisciplinary approach combining theology, philosophy, and social sciences to enhance Islamic discourse and make it relevant to many cultural and ideological perspectives. It stresses the significance of adapting Islamic ideas to modern contexts while maintaining their ethical core and universal nature. It promotes communication, collaboration, and mutual understanding among civilisations, recognising the richness and diversity of human experiences and viewpoints. This research suggests that incorporating ethical leadership into Islamic teachings has the potential to make a meaningful contribution to the shared goals of world civilisations. A collaborative effort is needed from researchers, leaders, and communities to participate in a transformational discussion that goes beyond limits, encourages empathy, and supports the common good. This will help advance the collective goal of creating a fair, peaceful, and prosperous world.

Ethical Leadership Behaviors and Employee Perceptions of Organizational Justice: A Qualitative Research

Objective: The study explores a crucial aspect of the service industry: how managers' leadership impacts employees' views on justice within the coffee shop industry, specifically focusing their views of justice perceptions. Theoretical Framework: This research study's theoretical foundation lies in the principles of leadership and organizational justice, incorporating theories such as climate and decision-making along with models of organizational justice, including distributive, procedural, and interactional justice. Method: The study employed a method in its research work involving 16 managers and staff members working at coffee shops in Ankara, selected through convenience sampling for the sample collection process. Data were gathered through direct observations and semi- structured interviews utilizing a questionnaire focused on ethical leadership and organizational justice concerns. Results and Discussion: The research findings showed that ethical leadership practices directly impact how workers view fairness in their environment. Effective communication and seeking input are components of leadership that significantly influence the perception of impartiality and equity among employees. Moreover, providing support, being fair, and demonstrating sincerity are characteristics that distinguish ethical leaders. The study also emphasized that when leaders exhibit these behaviors, they help cultivate an environment of justice and equity, leading to increased employee contentment and confidence. Research Implications: The study's findings indicate that it is essential for service industry organizations, such as coffee shops, to cultivate leadership practices that foster a culture of fairness within the workplace environment. Managers and leaders should strive to communicate with their teams and offer support while ensuring equal treatment for all employees to improve their perceptions of fairness. These results have implications as they may be implemented to establish a favorable work atmosphere that boosts employee engagement and loyalty while enhancing overall productivity within the organization. Originality/Value: This research contributes to the existing body of knowledge by examining how ethical leadership practices impact justice in the coffee shop industry and provides information for managers and leaders to promote a culture of justice.

Navigating Digital Leadership: How UK-Based Marketing Leaders are Redefining Brand Trust in an AI-Driven Era

This study examined the impact of ethical leadership in AI-driven digital marketing on brand trust among UK consumers. As AI transforms digital marketing through personalisation and predictive tools, concerns about transparency, data privacy, and consumer autonomy have become vital for sustaining trust. Data was collected through 25 semi-structured interviews with marketing leaders and industry experts and three focus groups with UK consumers. The findings underscored the importance of ethical leadership, transparent AI use, and balancing personalisation with privacy in building consumer trust. Case studies of UK brands illustrated the successful alignment of AI with consumer expectations and regulations. This research contributed to digital marketing and AI ethics by offering insights into the relationship between ethical leadership, AI-driven personalisation, and brand trust, highlighting the need for responsible AI frameworks within the UK marketing sector.

How Ethical Leadership Fosters the Development of Public University Employees’ Social Capital in Vietnam? A Sequential Mediation Model

How Ethical Leadership Fosters the Development of Public University Employees’ Social Capital in Vietnam? A Sequential Mediation Model

How and why does inner resignation (quiet quitting) impact service innovation behavior? A moderator role of ethical leadership

Tourism enterprises are labor-intensive, and the service innovation behavior of employees plays an important role in keeping these enterprises ahead of their competitors. Inner resignation (IR) is a relatively new concept in organizational life, and it is a situation that should be prevented due to its negative impact on the organization. In this study, the moderating role of ethical leadership (EL) in reducing the negative effect of inner resignation on service innovation behavior (SIB) was examined with a cross-cultural comparison for Turkish and German tourism employees. A total of 743 employees working in hotels in Turkey and Germany were surveyed using a questionnaire. The results of the research show that employees’ inner resignation has a negative impact on their service innovation behavior. On the other hand, ethical leadership plays a moderating role in the effect of inner resignation on service innovating behavior. The moderator role of ethical leadership perceptions in this relationship was also examined separately for German and Turkish employees due to cultural differences. While the moderating role of ethical leadership in the effect of German employees’ inner resignation on service innovating behavior was found to be statistically significant, this role was found to be insignificant for Turkish employees.

Relation- and task-oriented roles as antecedents of ethical leadership: Examining synergistic effects

A growing body of literature demonstrates that ethical leadership has positive effects on employees’ work outcomes. Ethical leadership upholds the importance of “normatively appropriate conduct through personal actions and interpersonal relationships” (Brown et al., 2005, p. 120; doi:10.1016/j.obhdp.2005.03.002). However, extant empirical research does not answer the question- of how ethical leaders balance their relation maintenance (i.e., relationship-oriented role) and performance maintenance (i.e., task-oriented role) behaviors with their employees to be perceived as ethical leaders. In the present paper, drawing upon the propositions informed by opposing domains theory and related research, I theorize that leaders’ relationship-oriented and task-oriented roles create synergistic effects that predict their employees’ perceptions of ethical leadership. Results across two studies (an experiment and a correlational study involving samples from two different cultures) convergently confirmed the hypothesized relationships. I conclude by discussing several key theoretical and practical implications of these findings.

Characteristics of Nurse Managers' Conflict Management Competency. A Systematic Review.

To identify and describe the characteristics that constitute a nurse manager's conflict management competency. This study is a systematic review conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024542605). A systematic search was conducted in Web of Science, Scopus and PubMed databases, covering literature published from 1 January 2014 to 1 April 2024. This review included 14 studies selected from an initial pool of 86 records. From the included articles, 71 characteristics associated with nurse manager conflict management competency were identified and categorised into seven distinct characteristics: Collaborative resolution (19.72%), collaborative support (18.31%), balanced compromise (14.08%), conflict avoidance (14.08%), supportive accommodation (14.08%), assertive dominance (12.68%) and leadership and resilience in conflict management (7.04%). The most frequent conflicts were interpersonal conflicts (22.22%), resource allocation issues (20.00%) and conflicts between personal values and organisational goals (17.78%). This review highlights the importance of developing characteristics, such as collaborative resolution, collaborative support and balanced compromise, for effective conflict management by nurse managers. Addressing interpersonal conflicts and aligning personal values with organisational goals is essential for maintaining team cohesion and reducing stress. Ethical leadership and emotional intelligence are crucial for managing conflicts and improving the work environment. Forward-looking healthcare organisations should prioritise the development of conflict management competencies to create healthy and efficient work environments capable of facing disruptive changes, such as those brought about by artificial intelligence. The characterisation of conflict management competency allows the creation of simulated scenarios that are free of associated risks. Additionally, the findings facilitate a comprehensive analysis of how conflict management competency influences leadership competency and ethical principles in nursing teams. This is particularly relevant in the context of profound and disruptive change. No patient or public involvement.

The Effect of Ethical Leadership Behaviours on Teachers` Motivation in Primary Schools in Karagwe District, Tanzania

This study was grounded on social exchange theory to determine the effect of ethical leadership behaviours on teachers` motivation in primary schools in Karagwe District Council. It was also guided by one research hypothesis which were tested using structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques. It employed constructivism as research paradigm, quantitative research approach, and explanatory design with 95 respondents. Data were collected through questionnaires. The results revealed that ethical leadership behaviors positively affect teachers` motivation. It was also learned that leaders exhibited ethical behaviors based on honesty, justice, integrity and transparency in performing their managerial roles. Leaders’ practices (e.g. care, value, and fairness) indicated the degree to which teachers are motivated. The results call for managerial attention especially ensuring that teachers are well motivated through ethical leadership and human resource management practices

Integrating Bhagavad Gita Wisdom with Modern Management: A Holistic Indian Ethos Approach

This paper examines the enduring challenge of self-management, as highlighted by Arjun’s observations to Lord Krishna regarding the mind's uncontrollable nature, which resonates with both personal growth and contemporary management practices. The Bhagavad Gita, despite its ancient origins, provides profound insights into self-discipline, vision, leadership, and ethical action that are increasingly relevant in today’s fast-paced business landscape. This study explores the synergies between the teachings of the Gita and modern management theories, focusing on the holistic perspective of Indian ethos in management. By analysing key concepts such as Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, and Bhakti Yoga, along with the theory of the three Gunas—Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas—this research highlights how these principles can enhance contemporary managerial practices. Additionally, the paper discusses the evolution of modern management systems and the integration of Indian values, emphasizing the crucial role of ethical leadership and self-regulation in achieving organizational success. In a time when effective management is increasingly tied to holistic and culturally enriched approaches, the Bhagavad Gita offers a framework that transcends traditional Western theories, paving the way for both personal and organizational fulfilment. Ultimately, this research argues that embracing the wisdom of the Gita can foster a more balanced, ethical, and effective management practice, aligning with the well-being of all stakeholders.

Value Pillars of Russian’ Identity under Conditions of Foreign Challenges

Based on the data of the general sociological survey of the population of the Russian Federation population in February-March 2024, the value foundations of the all-Russian identity are being studied, which are gaining more and more weight in the context of foreign policy pressures and confrontation between Russia and the collective West. Conceptual basis of the study is theoretical approaches to the exploring identity, values and formation processes of a political nation. The study showed that under the influence of the current president’s discourse and concepts enshrined in the leading strategic planning documents on sovereignty, traditional values and moral leadership, as well as thanks to the symbolic support from the Russian Orthodox Church, an all-Russian identity acquires the features of a macropolitical territorial-state identity. Hierarchically, leading values of the all-Russian macropolitical identity involve both conservative and classical liberal values: “faith in Russia” (42%), “common moral values” (38%), “respect for the rule of law and the rights of citizens, economic and political freedoms” (33%).). The conclusion is made that the value of “faith in Russia” due to its wide content format, political uncertainty and reliance on the all-Russian cultural canon allows it to become an ideological source for nation’s consolidation.

What, When, and How of Responsible Leadership: Taking Stock of Eighteen Years of Research and a Future Agenda

AbstractBecause research on responsible leadership has grown significantly in recent years, we conducted a systematic review of research on responsible leadership. Our overall goal was to establish a comprehensive understanding of alternative definitions of responsible leadership, its theoretical foundations, and distinctions from other moral leadership constructs. Drawing from 194 studies, we first clarify the conceptual underpinnings of responsible leadership, and how it differs from other constructs in the moral leadership domain, thus highlighting its value as a construct. Second, we identify and evaluate the prominent theoretical frameworks that underpin responsible leadership. Third, we conceptualize the antecedents, mediating factors, contingency variables and outcomes of responsible leadership. Fourth, we offer important recommendations for future research that will move the field forward. Overall, our review provides insights to advance an understanding of responsible leadership.

Influencia del liderazgo ético sobre el agotamiento emocional en el sector eléctrico colombiano. El papel moderador de un clima ético de principios

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of ethical leadership on emotional exhaustion in the Colombian electricity sector through the moderating role of a principled ethical climate, with a simple moderation scheme. The research design was transversal with a non-experimental scope. The sample was calculated probabilistically by conglomerates. A total of 175 women and 273 men from six organizations in the Colombian electricity sector participated. According to the results, ethical leadership and a principled climate are negatively related to emotional exhaustion. However, when ethical leadership transits through a highly moral principled climate, this relationship changes its meaning. In conclusion, ethical leadership and a principled ethical climate attenuate follower emotional exhaustion as long as there is a balance between the personal and managerial aspects conveyed by the leader.

Predicting project performance from occupational stress, psychological availability and ethical leadership: moderated-mediation and mediated-moderation models

Predicting project performance from occupational stress, psychological availability and ethical leadership: moderated-mediation and mediated-moderation models

Empowering excellence: ethical leadership as the cornerstone for knowledge sharing and employee voice

ABSTRACT Knowledge sharing is a mutual exchange of expertise, skills, and information among employees, which is crucial for organisational success. Despite its importance, knowledge sharing is discretionary, as employees may perceive advantages in withholding their knowledge. However, there remains a significant gap in understanding the specific mechanisms through which ethical leadership influences knowledge sharing behaviour. This study aims to address this gap by exploring the impact of ethical leadership on employees’ readiness to share knowledge, considering the mediating role of employee voice. A questionnaire-based survey was carried out among 396 employees in Indian IT organisations to collect data, which was subsequently analysed using structural equation modeling technique. The research findings highlight ethical leadership as a crucial factor that not only supports employee voice but also emphasizes the enhancement of innovative thinking among workers, ultimately cultivating a culture of knowledge-sharing within the organisation.

Exploring the Relationship Among Ethical Leadership, Psychological Safety, Conflict Management Strategies, and Job Performance: The Moderating Role of Inclusive Environment

This study examines the relationship between ethical leadership (EL), psychological safety (PS), conflict management strategies (CMSs), job performance, and the moderating role of an inclusive environment in non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Pakistan. Data for this research were collected through quantitative means from NGOs operating in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. A total of 170 employees from NGOs (females = 44.7%, males = 55.3%) completed the ethical leadership, psychological safety, conflict management strategies, inclusive environment, and job performance scales. We applied structural equation modeling (SEM) for analysis. As compared with previously conducted studies, the findings determined an insignificant moderating role of an inclusive environment. Social identity theory was utilized to delve deeper into the categorization of ingroups and outgroups within the organizations. The implications of this study extend to both researchers and practitioners. Future research will include an exploration of the effectiveness of organizational interventions.

The Influence of Ethical Leadership on Employee Engagement: Analyzing the Role of Work-Life Balance as a Mediating Variable

In the context of the creative economy industry, which is often characterized by a dynamic work environment and high work expectations, employee engagement is crucial to increase productivity and retain the best talent. This study aims to analyze the effect of ethical leadership on employee engagement by considering work-life balance as a mediating variable in the creative economy industry in Indonesia. The sample used was 150 respondents, determined by the purposive sampling method, and then analyzed using the SEM-PLS method. The results of this study confirm that ethical leadership has a positive and significant effect on work-life balance. Furthermore, ethical leadership and work-life balance positively and significantly affect employee engagement. The mediation effect analysis also proves that work-life balance can mediate the relationship between ethical leadership and employee engagement. This study is expected to provide new insights into how ethical leadership can effectively increase employee engagement through work-life balance and provide practical recommendations for leaders to support employee well-being in this competitive industry.

Examining the Link between Ethical Leadership and Unethical Pro-Organizational Behavior: The Mediating Role of Ethical Climate & The Moderating Role of Moral Courage

This study explored how ethical leadership impacts unethical pro-organizational behavior (UPB), with an ethical climate serving as a mediator and moral courage as a moderator. It underscores the crucial role of ethical leadership in sustaining organizational health and success. By employing a quantitative approach, the research assessed the influence of ethical leadership on UPB and examined how moral courage and ethical climate moderate and mediate this relationship. This research design investigates a path as to why some employees learn to repress UPB or are inspired by their direct leader to do the right thing while others do not. A total of 250 full-time workers from various organizations within the United States responded to the questionnaire survey. The data was analyzed using SmartPLS 3 for the SEM-PLS modeling and analysis and SPSS 28 for descriptive statistics. The results indicate a significant positive relationship between ethical leadership and ethical climate, with ethical climate mediating the link between ethical leadership and unethical pro-organizational behavior (UPB). Unexpectedly, ethical leadership demonstrated a negative and insignificant relationship with UPB, and moral courage did not significantly moderate the relationship between ethical climate and UPB. These findings suggest that leaders should implement policies and procedures rooted in strong ethical principles to promote ethical behavior and reduce UPB.

The moral agency of civil society in post-election South Africa

With the dawn of the new post-election Government of National Unity (GNU) in South Africa, this article ventures some ideas on the possible contribution of civil society to this new dispensation with the aim of turning the tide of moral decay and to set the course to hope and the development of a community of character. The research approaches the topic from a Reformed theological-ethical paradigm and considers social ethics within the context of the kingdom of God as the determinant of Christian social ethics. The study explores the possibility that the upcoming civil society could contribute to the much-needed moral ethos of South Africa by means of cooperation, confrontation, complimentary action, and co-option with respect to the state machinery in the GNU. The central theoretical argument of this research is that the incumbent civil society in South Africa – as one of the pillars of the constitutional democracy – can play an important role in the reinvention of a sound moral ethos as a moral agent over and against the GNU. To prove this hypothesis, the article discusses and submits the following areas of social involvement by civil society as proposals for further reflection: reviving morality, fostering moral leadership, being the voice of the poor, exposing corruption, shadowing public education, fighting crime, furthering constitutionalism, and promoting national dialogue.Contribution: The research indicates that civil society in South Africa has renewed potential to act as a powerful and effective moral agent in the country by using the spaces provided by the new post-election GNU. It can play a prominent role in rebuilding the moral ethos, social cohesion, and welfare of the community.

The relationship of ethical leadership with teachers’ organizational behavior, attitudes, and perceptions: a meta-analysis study

This study aims to investigate the influence of the school principal’s ethical leadership on teachers’ organizational behavior, attitudes, and perceptions and the moderating effect of some variables in this relationship. For this purpose, a meta-analysis of data collected from a total of 47 empirical studies involving 18,423 participants was performed. A random effects model was used to measure the overall effect sizes. The results showed that ethical leadership has a very strong positive effect on organizational trust and organizational justice, and a strong positive effect on job satisfaction, motivation, and organizational commitment. The analysis also revealed that ethical leadership has a strong negative relationship with organizational silence and a moderate negative relationship with mobbing and organizational cynicism. Among the tested moderators, only the level of education was found to moderate the effect of ethical leadership on organizational commitment. It was also concluded that ethical leadership has a greater effect on organizational commitment in primary schools. The current study evidenced that the ethical leadership of the school principal is an important variable in the organizational behavior, attitudes, and perceptions of teachers.