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The Linkage between Ethical Leadership, Well-Being, Work Engagement, and Innovative Work Behavior: The Empirical Evidence from the Higher Education Sector of China

Author

Listed:
  • Kan Jia

    (School of Management, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China)

  • Tianlun Zhu

    (School of Management, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China)

  • Weiwei Zhang

    (School of Cultural Creativity and Management, Communication University of Zhejiang, Hangzhou 310019, China)

  • Samma Faiz Rasool

    (School of Management, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China)

  • Ali Asghar

    (Dr. Hassan Murad School of Management, University of Management and Technology, Lahore 54770, Pakistan)

  • Tachia Chin

    (School of Management, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China)

Abstract

In this study, we investigate the relationship between ethical leadership (EL), work engagement (WE), well-being, and innovative work behavior (IWB). The significance of these variables has increased in the current era when the influence of technology is exponentially increasing in the education sector. We investigate the role of ethical leadership in determining innovative work behavior. Moreover, we investigate the moderating effect of WB in the relationship between EL and WE. We also examine the mediating impact of WE in the relationship between EL and IWB. We used a questionnaire survey approach to collect data. The target population of this study was the academic personnel, i.e., senior professors, lecturers, and supporting staff associated with the higher education sector located in Zhejiang Province, China. Data were collected in two phases. In the first phase, we sent 300 research questionnaires and received 251 responses. In the second phase, after a three-month interval, we sent 200 questionnaires and received 162 responses. However, over the two phases, we collected a total of 413 questionnaires; 43 were discarded. Therefore, for analysis, we used 370 questionnaires. The data were analyzed using the structural equation modeling through SmartPLS 3.2.2. First, in the direct relationship, results confirm that EL positively influences the IWB. Secondly, WB has a positive and moderating relationship between EL and IWB. Thirdly, we address the relationship between EL and WE. The outcome indicates that there is a positive and significant relationship. Fourth, the results of this study indicate that there is positive and significant relationship between WE and IWB. Finally, the outcomes imply that WE positively mediates between EL and IWB. Ethical leadership and well-being are important for innovative work behavior that supports managers in introducing a supportive workplace environment that promotes good interpersonal relationships with subordinates. Therefore, a good interpersonal relationship between managers and subordinates enhances the work quality. So, ethical leaders provide a supportive work environment to all subordinates regarding their work.

Suggested Citation

  • Kan Jia & Tianlun Zhu & Weiwei Zhang & Samma Faiz Rasool & Ali Asghar & Tachia Chin, 2022. "The Linkage between Ethical Leadership, Well-Being, Work Engagement, and Innovative Work Behavior: The Empirical Evidence from the Higher Education Sector of China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-15, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:9:p:5414-:d:805222
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Xin Liu & Yan Huang & Jaehyoung Kim & Sanggyun Na, 2023. "How Ethical Leadership Cultivates Innovative Work Behaviors in Employees? Psychological Safety, Work Engagement and Openness to Experience," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-22, February.
    2. Fatme El Zahraa M. Rahal & Panteha Farmanesh, 2022. "Does Servant Leadership Stimulate Work Engagement in the Workplace? The Mediating Role of Trust in Leader," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-14, December.
    3. Fida Hassanein & Hale Özgit, 2022. "Sustaining Human Resources through Talent Management Strategies and Employee Engagement in the Middle East Hotel Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-19, November.

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