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The Impact of Ethical Leadership on Employee Green Behaviors: A Study of Academic Institutions in the UAE

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  • Abdelaziz Abdalla Alowais

    (Faculty of Business and Law, Department of Business Management, The British University in Dubai, Dubai 345015, United Arab Emirates)

  • Abubakr Suliman

    (Faculty of Business and Law, Department of Business Management, The British University in Dubai, Dubai 345015, United Arab Emirates)

Abstract

This study explores the role of ethical leadership in fostering employee green behaviors (EGBs) within higher education institutions (HEIs) in the UAE. While environmental initiatives are increasingly being integrated into university operations, there has been limited empirical research examining how leadership styles influence pro-environmental behaviors among academic staff. Using a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design, our study surveyed 105 HEI employees and conducted in-depth interviews with 6 of the participants. The quantitative findings reveal a moderate but significant positive correlation between ethical leadership (EL) and EGB (ρ = 0.314, p < 0.001). The reliability scores for both EL (α = 0.888) and EGB (α = 0.754) confirmed the internal consistency of the measurement items used. The qualitative insights support the theoretical foundation drawn from Social Learning, Value–Belief–Norm, and Environmental Stewardship Theories. Employees reported modeling their green behaviors on observable leadership actions aligning with their shared moral values. A key distinction emerged between authentic and performative green behaviors, with employees responding more positively to leaders who modeled consistency and sincerity. This study concludes that ethical leadership significantly influences the environmental culture in HEIs by embedding sustainability into daily practices and institutional values. This research addresses a regional and theoretical gap, contextualizing ethical leadership in the Middle Eastern academic setting and offering practical implications for leadership development, policy alignment, and sustainable cultural transformation.

Suggested Citation

  • Abdelaziz Abdalla Alowais & Abubakr Suliman, 2025. "The Impact of Ethical Leadership on Employee Green Behaviors: A Study of Academic Institutions in the UAE," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-29, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jadmsc:v:15:y:2025:i:10:p:376-:d:1757618
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Samuel Ogbeibu & Vijay Pereira & John Burgess & James Gaskin & Jude Emelifeonwu & Shlomo Y. Tarba & Ahmad Arslan, 2024. "Responsible innovation in organisations – unpacking the effects of leader trustworthiness and organizational culture on employee creativity," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 41(3), pages 947-977, September.
    2. Muhammad Arshad & Ghulam Abid & Francoise Venezia Contreras Torres, 2021. "Impact of prosocial motivation on organizational citizenship behavior: the mediating role of ethical leadership and leader–member exchange," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 55(1), pages 133-150, February.
    3. Ahmad Nasser Abuzaid & Mohammed Yasin Ghadi & Saif-aldeen Marwan Madadha & Manal Mohammad Alateeq, 2024. "The Effect of Ethical Leadership on Innovative Work Behaviors: A Mediating–Moderating Model of Psychological Empowerment, Job Crafting, Proactive Personality, and Person–Organization Fit," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-20, August.
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