Ethical Leadership Research Articles

Perceived Ethical Leadership and Follower Outcomes in the Public Sector: The Moderating Effect of Followers' Need for Autonomy

Ethical leadership is of growing interest and concern in public administration research and practice. Although both scholarship and practical wisdom suggest that the outcomes of leadership are contingent on followers' characteristics, knowledge about what individual preferences matter for the leadership–outcome relationship and how they moderate it is still scant. This study expands on extant scholarship by focusing on the moderating role of followers' need for autonomy in the association between perceived ethical leadership and two important follower outcomes, i.e., job satisfaction and affective organizational commitment. Building on self-determination theory, we test rivaling hypotheses on the moderating effect of follower's need for autonomy in a sample of public sector employees in Germany (n = 462). The results support the enhancement hypothesis, according to which the association between ethical leadership and follower outcomes increases at higher levels of need for autonomy. However, we find this effect only for job satisfaction, while no such moderation occurs in the case of affective organizational commitment. Future research is challenged to further explore the multiple contingencies of ethical leadership in the public sector by examining other configurations of outcomes and moderators at various levels of analysis.

Ethical Leadership and Financial Reporting Practices in Chad

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the ethical leadership and financial reporting practices in Chad. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The study indicated that when leaders prioritize ethical conduct and integrity, it positively influences how financial information is reported and communicated to stakeholders. Ethical leaders foster a culture of transparency, accountability, and honesty, which leads to more accurate and reliable financial reporting. This, in turn, enhances investor confidence, reduces the risk of financial fraud, and promotes long-term sustainability for the organization. Studies also highlight the importance of ethical leadership in regulatory compliance, as leaders who prioritize ethics are more likely to ensure that financial reporting practices adhere to legal and ethical standards. Overall, the link between ethical leadership and financial reporting practices underscores the significant impact that leaders have on the integrity and credibility of financial information within companies. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: Transformational leadership theory, stakeholder theory and agency theory may be used to anchor future studies on assessing the ethical leadership and financial reporting practices in Chad. Organizations should implement comprehensive ethics training programs for leaders and employees to enhance ethical awareness, decision-making, and behavior related to financial reporting. Policymakers and regulators should strengthen regulatory oversight and enforcement mechanisms related to financial reporting practices.

Does self-sacrificial leadership reduce the subordinate’s organizational cynicism? The mediating role of distributive justice and ethical corporate social responsibility

PurposeAlthough self-sacrificial leadership and ethical leadership exhibit similarities in their moral dimensions, recent research suggests that self-sacrificial leadership may be linked to an increase in unethical behavior for the collective benefit of one’s group. Existing studies have demonstrated that ethical leadership can mitigate organizational cynicism. However, the potential misalignment between group interests and ethics associated with self-sacrificial leadership raises concerns about its potential to foster cynicism. This study investigates the mechanisms by which self-sacrificial leadership influences organizational cynicism.Design/methodology/approachSurvey data from 493 organizational members across 9 Chinese companies were analyzed using multiple regression analysis, and bootstrapping was employed to confirm the mediating effects.FindingsSelf-sacrificial leadership was found to have an overall reducing effect on organizational cynicism, with distributive justice and ethical CSR perceptions as significant mediating factors.Originality/valueThis study sheds light on the unique characteristics of self-sacrificial leadership, highlighting the elements of sacrifice and loyalty that may result in unethical, self-centered behaviors, and explores its influence on organizational cynicism. By revealing that the recognition of augmented group interests can diminish cynicism among organizational members regardless of morality, this study contributes to broadening the theoretical perspective.

Proclaiming the Unborn Child’s Humanity: A Feminist Rhetorical Analysis of the National Sanctity of Human Life Day Proclamations

The National Sanctity of Human Life Day (NSHL) was declared 22 times between 1984 and 2021. The proclamations were a strategy to strengthen electoral support for Republican presidents by validating the humanity of the unborn child. The presidents crafted a narrative of American exceptionalism supported by a beneficent Christian God, with the president serving as a moral leader. Collectively, the themes justified paternalistic authority over women’s reproductive autonomy. This feminist rhetorical analysis reveals the evolving power of the unborn child ideology from 1984 to the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022. The study demonstrates the rhetorical power of presidential ceremonial speech for building coalitions and advancing the president’s policy agenda.

Etika Guru Menurut Imam Ibnu Jama’ah As-Syafi’i Dalam Kitab Tadzkirotus Sami Wal Mutakallimi Fi Adabil Alim Wal Muta’alim

The importance of good teacher ethics in the educational process is able to create a positive and productive educational environment that can affect academic learning, moral and social development for students. This research aims to: 1) find out the intraksi between teachers and students according to the book tadzkirotus sami' wal mutakallim fi adabil alim wal muta'alim; 2) knowing good teacher manners so that they are channeled and can set an example as a good example for students; 3) knowing the internal and external factors that can contribute to the teacher so that there is a misappropriation that affects the image of the teacher. This study uses a strong research approach where the type of research is library research. The results of this study show that: 1) good interaction between teachers and students in the book tadzkirotus sami' wal mutakallim fi adabil alim wal muta'alim, one of which is by sincerely intending to seek the pleasure of Allah SWT, patience, and gentleness. In addition, students are taught to always be polite to anyone, as well as interact positively which is emphasized to form relationships full of moral and ethical values. 2) Good teacher ethics can certainly create a positive and productive learning environment, including professionalism and providing a good example to form a good character in students. 3) Internal factors include a lack of ethical awareness and emotional pressure, then external factors, namely economic demands and lack of supervision that can result in the emergence of unethical behavior. To prevent these abuses, it is necessary to increase ethical leadership and increase supervision of character education for teachers and students.

Ethical leadership and employee behavior. Scientometric analysis in scientific production

This scientometric study seeks to analyze scientific articles on ethical business leadership from a social-scientific perspective, considering its relationship or influence with the different behaviors of workers. Using the VOSWiever program, an analysis is carried out on 1000 articles published in Web of Science (WoS) journals from 1987 to May 2023. The results show the five main contributing countries, these being: China, the United States, England, Canada, and Pakistan and the year 2022 will be the year of greatest scientific production. There are no records of studies in Latin America; however, scientific production is found in academic sites in Venezuela, Chile, Ecuador, and Argentina. Using the Laws of Lotka, Price, and the Bradford model, the most prolific authors and the productivity of countries and magazines are discovered. Using Zipf's law and the Hirsch index, the most frequent keywords and the best-known articles are revealed. The article has sought to contribute to the eighth goal of sustainable development (SDG), that is, with the study of ethical leaders who model behaviors that favor economic growth, work well-being, and sustainability of their organizations. For future research, it is suggested that specific effects produced by this leadership as a mediator related to job performance in Latin companies be examined.

Ethical leadership and organizational silence: a systematic review

Ethical leadership and organizational silence: a systematic review

Āl-e Ahmad's Faustian Bargain? Antonio Gramsci, the “Progressive Clergy,” and the Search for Hegemony in Late-Pahlavi Iran

This article explores the first translations of the Italian Marxist Antonio Gramsci into Persian and a more speculative reconstruction of Gramsci's reception during the second half of the 1960s by two prominent Iranian intellectuals and dissidents close to the League of Iranian Socialists. After examining the initial translations by the influential translator and political activist, Manūchehr Hezārkhānī (d. 2022), the author moves to unpack, Jalāl Āl-e Ahmad's (d. 1969) interpretations, reconstruction, and deployment of these fragmentary translations from an already disjointed and curated edition of the Prison Notebooks. Gramsci's analyses of culture, religion and religious institutions, intellectual production, and political mobilization were drawn upon for a variety of purposes. Thus, while some intellectuals, most famously Āl-e Ahmad, hypothesized that the politically engaged clergy's moral and political leadership was essential to the successful mobilization of the masses against imperialism and the overthrow of the US-backed Pahlavi dictatorship, others, including Hezārkhānī, ultimately came to advocate in favor of a popular front and coalition of secular and religious forces in defense of “democratic freedoms” against the threat of clerical domination in the 1979 revolution's aftermath.

Effect of Ethical Leadership on Nurses’ Voice Behavior at Zagazig University Hospitals

Effect of Ethical Leadership on Nurses’ Voice Behavior at Zagazig University Hospitals

Navigating Complexity: Strategies for Developing 'Fit for Purpose' Leadership in Contemporary Higher Education

In an era marked by rapid technological advancements and evolving societal demands, higher education institutions face unprecedented complexity in leadership. This conceptual research explores strategies for cultivating 'fit for purpose' leadership that aligns with contemporary educational challenges. By synthesizing existing literature, this paper argues that institutions of higher learning have evolved, therefore creating a gap between leadership and higher education. This paper further argues that this evolution came as a result of global technological advancements and digital transformation. Thus, there is a need for curriculum redevelopment for digital era. The paper also argues that quality assurance, globalization, and internationalization are very significant, thus emphasizing the need for strategic leadership that aligns with societal and political expectations. In essence, the paper argues strategies for Developing 'Fit for Purpose' Leadership in Contemporary Higher Education. The paper underscores the importance of fostering collaborative leadership, promoting innovation, and developing policies and curricula aligned with the digital era's demands. Recommendations include investing in leadership development, promoting ethical leadership, and enhancing the role of women in leadership positions within higher education.

درجة ممارسة القيادة الأخلاقية لدى مديري المدارس الابتدائية في منطقة عرعرة النقب من وجهة نظر المعلمين

This study aimed at investigating the degree of moral leadership practice among primary school principals in Ar'arat an-Naqab region from teachers' point of view. The study sample consisted of (63) primary school teachers in Ar'arat an-Naqab region, chosen by available method. The study used descriptive approach by build a questionnaire consisted of (26) items. And its validity and reliability were verified. The finding of the study shows that the degree of moral leadership practice among primary school principals in Ar'arat an-Naqab region from teachers' point of view was medium. However, there was no statistical significant difference in the degree of moral leadership practice among primary school principals in Ar'arat an-Naqab region from teachers' point of view due to gender and specialization, and there statistical significant difference in the degree of moral leadership practice among primary school principals in Ar'arat an-Naqab region from teachers' point of view due to years of experience, in favor of those with (5 years - less than 10 years) experience, and those with (10 years or more) experience.

Ethical Leadership, Ethical Culture, Voice Behaviour, and Employee Performance

Employees are required to maintain positive interactions with one another in the workplace. This study advances the conversation of ethical leadership and ethical culture on employee performance, with voice behavior as a mediator. This study distributed 350 questionnaires to construction company employees in Bantul, Indonesia, and obtained a 153-response rate (43.71%). Structural equation modeling with Amos software is used to analyze the coded information. This study found a substantial link between ethical leadership, ethical culture, and voice behavior in increasing employee performance. Furthermore, voice behavior was discovered to mediate in both relationships. The finding implies a critical need to maintain positive conversations inside firms as they are part of job satisfaction indicators.

재건축사업에서 사업주체자의 역량이 조직효과성에 미치는 영향

This study examined how the empowerment of housing reconstruction project leader affects organizational effectiveness in order to suggest improvement measures to prevent project delays in the process of housing reconstruction projects. To this end, a survey was conducted among members who have experienced housing reconstruction projects in Gwacheon, and descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were conducted. The results showed that the ethical leadership, expertise, transparency, and participation of reconstruction project leader was significant in increasing organizational effectiveness. In addition, moral and ethical leadership was analyzed as an important factor in the organizational effectiveness of reconstruction project union, which are a special type of organization. This study is significant in that it examined the role of organizational effectiveness in the reconstruction project in the process of promoting the projects based on the trust of the members from the initial stage. The results of this study are expected to be used as a basis for policy improvement to improve the residential environment in old cities, including the first phase of new towns, and to improve the business satisfaction of landowners.

ETHICAL BEHAVIOUR AND INTEGRITY AMONG EMPLOYEES IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR: A CRITICAL REVIEW

This systematic review synthesises and analyses current research on ethical behaviour and integrity among public sector employees. Despite the growing emphasis on ethics in public administration, there remains a significant gap in consolidating the diverse factors influencing ethical conduct and integrity. Employing the Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) approach, a comprehensive search of Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) was conducted using the keywords (1) ethical behaviour, (2) employee, and (3) public sector. The final dataset included (n = 44) relevant articles meticulously reviewed and validated by experts. These articles were categorised into four coherent themes: (1) factors influencing ethical behaviour and integrity in the public sector; (2) challenges and barriers to ethical behaviour and integrity; (3) the leadership role as well as trust with regard to enhancing ethical behaviour; and (4) the implementation and prevention of ethical issues. Key findings indicate that ethical leadership, organisational culture, personal dispositions, education, professionalism, and holistic approaches are vital to fostering ethics in public service, and comprehensive initiatives are needed to address systemic and individual barriers to ethical conduct and integrity.

Improving Employee In-Role and Extra Role Performance with Ethical Leadership: As Meditating Role of Employee Creativity

Improving Employee In-Role and Extra Role Performance with Ethical Leadership: As Meditating Role of Employee Creativity

The Mediating Effect of Trust in Supervisors on the Relationship between Ethical Leadership of Supervisors and Creativity of Secretaries

The Mediating Effect of Trust in Supervisors on the Relationship between Ethical Leadership of Supervisors and Creativity of Secretaries

Impact of Relational Leadership on Employee Engagement: Basis for Action Plan

This study examines the influence of relational leadership on employee engagement in six companies within Jiangsu Province, China. The research includes 156 participants, representing diverse organizational backgrounds. The study uncovers valuable demographic insights, highlighting the importance of age diversity, gender balance, employee retention, and department-specific training for workforce planning and talent development. The findings emphasize strong support for visionary, empowering, inclusive, caring, and ethical leadership attributes. Relational leadership significantly impacts productivity, job satisfaction, organizational commitment, motivation, workplace relationships, autonomy, and empowerment, emphasizing the role of trust, support, collaboration, and emotional connection. The proposed action plan, rooted in relational leadership, aims to enhance employee engagement by fostering collaboration, well-being, commitment, motivation, relationships, and autonomy. Recommendations focus on creating age-diverse teams, recognizing long-serving employees, customizing training programs, investing in leadership development, and implementing the relational leadership action plan.

مستوى التزام مديري المدارس بأخلاقيات القيادة أثناء ممارستهم لمهامهم الوظيفية من وجهة نظر معلميهم

خلفية الدراسة ومشكلتها: تُسلّط الدراسة الضوء على أهميّة القيادة الأخلاقيّة في المؤسسات التعليميّة، وكيف أصبح تحديد صفات القادة ومهاراتهم أمرًا ضروريًا. وتظهر المشكلة في عدم الالتزام الكافي بأخلاقيّات القيادة من بعض مديري المدارس، مما يؤثّر على أداء المعلمين وجودة العملية التعليمية. وينبع الاهتمام بهذا الموضوع من تجارب الباحثة بوصفها مديرة مدرسة ومعلمة، حيث شعرت بالحاجة إلى استكشاف مدى التزام المديرين بتلك القيم من وجهة نظر المعلمين. الأهداف: هدفت الدراسة معرفة مستوى التزام مديري المدارس بأخلاقيّات القيادة أثناء ممارستهم لمهامهم الوظيفيّة من وجهة نظر معلميهم. الطرق المستخدمة: استخدمت الباحثة المنهج الوصفي المسحي، وطوّرت استبانة مكونة من (30) فقرة، طُبّقت على عيّنة طبقيّة بسيطة بلغت (393) معلمًا ومعلمة في لواء الرّصيفة/ الأردن. النتائج: بيّنت النتائج وجود فروق عند مستوى دلالة (0.05) في مستوى التزام مديري المدارس بأخلاقيّات القيادة تُعزى لمتغيّر النوع الاجتماعي لصالح الذكور، وللمؤهل العلمي لصالح الدراسات العليا، ولسنوات الخبرة لصالح ذوي الخبرة أقل من 10 سنوات. الاستنتاجات (التوصيات والمساهمة): أوصت الدراسة بضرورة تبني فلسفة إداريّة وأساليب تنظيميّة تدعم تطبيق أخلاقيّات القيادة، وتضمين تقارير الأداء الوظيفي لمديري المدارس بمعيار يقيس الممارسات الأخلاقيّة، وتنظيم لقاءات تدريبية فعّالة لمديري المدارس لتنمية دورهم في تطبيق القيادة الأخلاقية لتحقيق الأهداف المرجوّة.

How Can Ethical Leadership and Emotional Leadership Influence Employees to Quit Intentions?

This research aims to determine the mediating effect of interest in the private sector on the relationship between job performance and quitting intentions in companies with an outsourced system, namely manufacturing employees in the packaging sector. This research was conducted in Indonesia from Januari to April 2024 with 140 respondents. The research was a quantitative study using the Structural Equation Model (SEM) method using an analysis tool, namely SmartPLS. This study's results show a relationship between ethical and emotional leadership on employee motivation and job performance. The managerial implication of this research is that if a company wants to create and improve the expected performance, it is necessary to have strong encouragement from the role of ethical and emotional leaders, whereby this will lead to individual behavioural activities that can increase their ability to achieve goals that involve motivation from the encouragement of leadership style.

Exploring Ethical Leadership, LMX, and Their Impact on Perceived Organisational Support and OCB in the Jordanian Telecom Sector

This study investigates the interrelationships among ethical leadership, perceived organizational support (POS), and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) in the context of the Jordanian telecom sector, considering the moderating role of leader-member exchange (LMX). Employing a quantitative research design with a cross-sectional approach, data were collected through a questionnaire survey from 280 employees working in Jordanian telecom industries, and SmartPLs was used for data analysis. The results reveal substantial and meaningful associations between ethical leadership, POS, and OCB. Ethical leadership significantly and positively influences both POS and OCB, signifying that leaders who exemplify ethical conduct, fairness, and integrity contribute to employees' perceptions of organizational support and support their active engagement in citizenship behaviors. Moreover, the findings highlight a positive correlation between POS and OCB, indicating that when employees perceive robust organizational support, they are more inclined to extend their contributions beyond their job descriptions. LMX is shown to play a moderating role in the relationship between ethical leadership and OCB, as well as in the relationship between POS and OCB. These findings underscore the pivotal role that high-quality leader-member relationships play in amplifying the positive impacts of ethical leadership and POS on OCB. This research enriches understanding of ethical leadership, POS, and OCB within the Jordanian telecom sector. The implications of these findings are significant, providing valuable insights for organizations in this industry. These insights include developing and promoting ethical leadership practices, creating a supportive work environment, and strengthening leader-member relationships. The practical implications extend to leadership development programs, performance management systems, and reward structures that aim to encourage and reinforce OCB among employees.