Effect Of The Psycho-Emotive Dimension Of Ethical Leadership On Employee Commitment In The Transport Sector Parastatals In Kenya

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the psycho-emotive dimension of ethical leadership on employee commitment among senior managers in the transport sector parastatals in Kenya. Methodology: The study adopted the positivism research philosophy and a descriptive correlational research design. The target population consisted of 253 senior managers in the transport sector parastatals. A sample of 153 senior managers was selected from the target population using the stratified random sampling technique. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from senior managers. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Correlation analysis found a positive and significant relationship between the psycho-emotive dimension and employee commitment r(111) = .79, p < .05. Chi square test revealed a significant association between the psycho-emotive dimension and employee commitment, χ²(11, N = 113) = 50.86, p < .05. Results of multiple linear regression indicated that the psycho-emotive dimension was a significant predictor of employee commitment, β = 0.77, t(113) = 13.42, p < .05, and that 62% of the variance in employee commitment was caused by the psycho-emotive dimension, R2 = .62, F(1,111) = 179.95, p < .05. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: Previous studies on ethical leadership have focused on the ethical characteristics of the leader and behavioral traits in the Western settings. This study has provided an in-depth examination of ethical leadership and its effect on employee commitment in the African public sector context.