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Ethical Leadership and Internal Whistleblowing: A Mediated Moderation Model

Author

Listed:
  • Jin Cheng

    (Xiamen University)

  • Haiqing Bai

    (Xiamen University)

  • Xijuan Yang

    (Xiamen University)

Abstract

Studies have shown that internal whistleblowing could be utilized as an effective way to stop an organization’s unethical behaviors. This study investigates the relationship between ethical leadership and internal whistleblowing by focusing on the mediating role of employee-perceived organizational politics and the moderating role of moral courage. An analysis of data collected at three phases indicates that employee-perceived organizational politics partly mediates the relationship between ethical leadership and internal whistleblowing. Also, moral courage is found to moderate the effect of employee-perceived organizational politics on internal whistleblowing and the indirect effect of ethical leadership on internal whistleblowing via employee-perceived organizational politics. Theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Jin Cheng & Haiqing Bai & Xijuan Yang, 2019. "Ethical Leadership and Internal Whistleblowing: A Mediated Moderation Model," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 155(1), pages 115-130, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:155:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1007_s10551-017-3517-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-017-3517-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. 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.
    4. Trevor M. Spoelma & Nitya Chawla & Aleksander P. J. Ellis, 2021. "If You Can’t Join ‘Em, Report ‘Em: A Model of Ostracism and Whistleblowing in Teams," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 173(2), pages 345-363, October.
    5. Soojin Lee & Jinhee Kim & Gukdo Byun, 2021. "Are Leaders’ Perceptions of Organizational Politics Worsening Favorable Employee Outcomes? The Role of Ethical Leadership," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-10, September.
    6. Seung-Wan Kang, 2019. "Sustainable Influence of Ethical Leadership on Work Performance: Empirical Study of Multinational Enterprise in South Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-17, June.
    7. 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.
    8. Pietro Previtali & Paola Cerchiello, 2022. "Organizational Determinants of Whistleblowing. A Study of Italian Municipalities," Public Organization Review, Springer, vol. 22(4), pages 903-918, December.

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