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Leadership Manipulation and Ethics in Storytelling

Author

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  • Tommi Auvinen
  • Anna-Maija Lämsä
  • Teppo Sintonen
  • Tuomo Takala

Abstract

This article focuses on exerting influence in leadership, namely manipulation in storytelling. Manipulation is usually considered an unethical approach to leadership. We will argue that manipulation is a more complex phenomenon than just an unethical way of acting in leadership. We will demonstrate through an empirical qualitative study that there are various types of manipulation through storytelling. This article makes a contribution to the literature on manipulation through leadership storytelling, offering a more systematic empirical analysis and a more nuanced view of the topic than previously existed by outlining how managers engage in manipulative storytelling and what kind of ethics they link to their manipulation in leadership. Four types of manipulation in storytelling are identified in the study: humorous, pseudo-participative, seductive and pseudo-empathetic. From an ethical perspective, we will show that manipulation is not always self-evidently reprehensible. We will conclude that the dominant ethical justification for manipulation stems from its consequences. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2013

Suggested Citation

  • Tommi Auvinen & Anna-Maija Lämsä & Teppo Sintonen & Tuomo Takala, 2013. "Leadership Manipulation and Ethics in Storytelling," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 116(2), pages 415-431, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:116:y:2013:i:2:p:415-431
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-012-1454-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. V. Brand, 2009. "Empirical Business Ethics Research and Paradigm Analysis," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 86(4), pages 429-449, June.
    2. Johanna Kujala & Anna-Maija Lämsä & Katriina Penttilä, 2011. "Managers’ Moral Decision-Making Patterns Over Time: A Multidimensional Approach," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 100(2), pages 191-207, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Minna-Maaria Hiekkataipale & Anna-Maija Lämsä, 2017. "What Should a Manager Like Me Do in a Situation Like This? Strategies for Handling Ethical Problems from the Viewpoint of the Logic of Appropriateness," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 145(3), pages 457-479, October.
    2. Tuomas KOKKO & Tommi AUVINEN & Pasi SAJASALO & Tuomo TAKALA, 2018. "Shortcomings Of New Public Management Ideology From The Power Perspective: Exploration Of Power Relations In A Finnish Municipal Organization," Management Research and Practice, Research Centre in Public Administration and Public Services, Bucharest, Romania, vol. 10(2), pages 5-26, June.
    3. Lutz Kaufmann & Moritz Schreiner & Felix Reimann, 2023. "Narratives in supplier negotiations—The interplay of narrative design elements, structural power, and outcomes," Journal of Supply Chain Management, Institute for Supply Management, vol. 59(1), pages 66-94, January.
    4. Lu Bostanli & Andre Habisch, 2023. "Narratives as a Tool for Practically Wise Leadership," Humanistic Management Journal, Springer, vol. 8(1), pages 113-142, April.
    5. Helena Liu & Christopher Baker, 2016. "Ordinary Aristocrats: The Discursive Construction of Philanthropists as Ethical Leaders," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 133(2), pages 261-277, January.
    6. repec:ipg:wpaper:2014-520 is not listed on IDEAS
    7. Sharfa Hassan & Puneet Kaur & Michael Muchiri & Chidiebere Ogbonnaya & Amandeep Dhir, 2023. "Unethical Leadership: Review, Synthesis and Directions for Future Research," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 183(2), pages 511-550, March.

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