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The Affective Processes of Ethical Leadership: The Role of Moral Emotions

Author

Listed:
  • Sophia Soyoung Jeong

    (New York University Abu Dhabi)

  • Cong (Timothy) Sun

    (The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen)

  • Kai Chi Yam

    (National University of Singapore)

Abstract

Building on appraisal theory of emotions and theories on moral emotions, we contend that ethical leadership triggers other-praising moral emotions directed at the supervisor and leads to feedback-seeking behavior. We further predict that the affective processes of ethical leadership have implications for workplace behaviors, namely organizational citizenship behavior directed at the supervisor and employee voice. We develop a new measure of supervisor-directed, other-praising moral emotions and test the validity of the measure. Then, we test and find support for the proposed hypotheses using a sample of 231 full-time employees in China with a time-lagged survey design and structural equation modeling. Theoretical and practical implications for ethical leadership and moral emotions are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Sophia Soyoung Jeong & Cong (Timothy) Sun & Kai Chi Yam, 2025. "The Affective Processes of Ethical Leadership: The Role of Moral Emotions," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 196(1), pages 149-167, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:196:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s10551-024-05718-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-024-05718-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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