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Internalized Moral Identity in Ethical Leadership

Author

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  • Rebekka Skubinn

    (Leibniz University Hannover)

  • Lisa Herzog

    (Goethe University Frankfurt)

Abstract

The relevance of leader ethicality has motivated ethical leadership theory. In this paper, we emphasize the importance of moral identity for the concept of ethical leadership. We relate ethical leadership incorporating an internalized moral identity to productive deviant workplace behavior. Using qualitative empirical data we illustrate the relevance of critical situations, i.e., situations in which hypernorms and organizational norms diverge, for the distinction of ethical leaders with or without internalized moral identities. Our paper takes a multidisciplinary approach integrating insight from management as well as humanities and social sciences toward a comprehensive sense of ethical leadership.

Suggested Citation

  • Rebekka Skubinn & Lisa Herzog, 2016. "Internalized Moral Identity in Ethical Leadership," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 133(2), pages 249-260, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:133:y:2016:i:2:d:10.1007_s10551-014-2369-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-014-2369-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Guangxi Zhang & Jianan Zhong & Muammer Ozer, 2020. "Status Threat and Ethical Leadership: A Power-Dependence Perspective," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 161(3), pages 665-685, January.
    2. Salar Mesdaghinia & Debra L. Shapiro & Robert Eisenberger, 2022. "Prohibitive Voice as a Moral Act: The Role of Moral Identity, Leaders, and Workgroups," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 180(1), pages 297-311, September.
    3. Fabiola H. Gerpott & Niels Van Quaquebeke & Sofia Schlamp & Sven C. Voelpel, 2019. "An Identity Perspective on Ethical Leadership to Explain Organizational Citizenship Behavior: The Interplay of Follower Moral Identity and Leader Group Prototypicality," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 156(4), pages 1063-1078, June.
    4. Mari Huhtala & Päivi Fadjukoff & Jane Kroger, 2021. "Managers as Moral Leaders: Moral Identity Processes in the Context of Work," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 172(4), pages 639-652, September.
    5. Shuwen Li & Ruiqian Jia & Juergen H. Seufert & Jinlian Luo & Rui Sun, 2023. "You may not reap what you sow: How and when ethical leadership promotes subordinates’ online helping behavior," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 40(4), pages 1683-1702, December.
    6. Hongyu Zhang & Xin Lucy Liu & Yahua Cai & Xiuli Sun, 2023. "Paved with Good Intentions: Self-regulation Breakdown After Altruistic Ethical Transgression," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 186(2), pages 385-405, August.

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