Differences in Approaches to Business Ethics in Slovak Companies Lead by Man and Woman CEOs

Exploring how gender impacts ethical decision-making and behavior within organizations can contribute to creating inclusive workplaces and empowering women in leadership roles. Additionally, examining gender-based differences offers valuable insights into implementing business ethics, a vital aspect associated with equality in the workplace and broader communities. This study aims to compare business ethics in Slovak companies led by male and female CEOs, identifying statistically significant differences. By exploring these distinctions, the research seeks to enhance our understanding of how gender influences the implementation of business ethics, contributing to existing knowledge in this field. The study surveyed 179 Slovak subsidiaries of foreign mother companies, led by male and female CEOs, using an online questionnaire. It analyzed ten variables related to business ethics implementation through statistical methods, employing the non-parametric Mann–Whitney U test due to data distribution deviations from normality. The research reveals no statistically significant differences between male and female CEOs in Slovak subsidiaries of foreign multinationals regarding business ethics. This implies that gender does not notably impact ethical practices in this context, underscoring the significance of individual characteristics and leadership qualities over gender in evaluating business ethics implementation. The findings contribute valuable insights into distinctions in business ethics characteristics under male and female leadership, informing organizational practices, leadership development, and policy formulation to promote gender equality and ethical decision-making.