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Ethical Leadership and Innovative Behavior: Mediating Role of Voice Behavior and Moderated Mediation Role of Psychological Safety

Author

Listed:
  • Xiu Jin

    (Department of Business Administration, Honam University, Gwangju 62399, Korea)

  • Chenglin Qing

    (Department of Business Administration, Honam University, Gwangju 62399, Korea)

  • Shanyue Jin

    (College of Business, Gachon University, Seongnam 13120, Korea)

Abstract

Organizations increasingly emphasize and require their members to engage in innovative behavior because it is directly associated with organizational sustainability and survival. This study aims to address whether ethical leadership enhances subordinates’ innovative behavior and investigates the mediating role of voice behavior in promoting innovative behavior. Psychological safety was tested to moderate the mediating effect of voice behavior on the relationship between ethical leadership and innovative behavior. We collected data from 296 full-time employees from small and medium-sized enterprises in China. The results suggest that ethical leadership positively influences innovative behavior through the mediating role of voice behavior. Furthermore, psychological leadership significantly moderates the mediating effect of voice behavior on the relationship between ethical leadership and innovative behavior. This study expands the scope of research on improving innovative behavior and provides a theoretical basis for related research.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiu Jin & Chenglin Qing & Shanyue Jin, 2022. "Ethical Leadership and Innovative Behavior: Mediating Role of Voice Behavior and Moderated Mediation Role of Psychological Safety," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-24, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:9:p:5125-:d:801050
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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. Muhammad Asif & Muhammad Ali Hussain & Shazia Humayun & Muhammad Awais & Mingxing Li, 2023. "Investigating the Role of Ethical Leadership on Employee Innovativeness through Bottom-Up Job Redesigning: Self-Leadership as a Catalyst," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-12, April.
    3. Chao Gao & Jiying Han, 2022. "Sustainable Development of Mastery Goals and Innovative Behavior: Evidence from Chinese Faculty Members," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-14, July.

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