Ethical Leadership, Leader-Follower Relationship and Performance: A Study of a Telecommunications Company

Authors

  • Jeane Rodrigues Lucena Niemeyer Universidade Federal Fluminense
  • Flávia de Souza Costa Neves Cavazotte

Keywords:

Ethical leadership. LMX. Individual performance. Goal Commitment. Organizational citizenship.

Abstract

Purpose: Analyze the influence of ethical leadership on the relationship between leaders and followers, as well as its consequences for individual performance, commitment to work goals, and organizational citizenship.

Originality/Gap/Relevance/Implications: Although ethics in leadership is supposed to promote positive consequences in the work context, its association with performance and other relevant aspects in the business environment – such as the commitment to goals – has not yet been empirically studied. The present research contributes by filling this gap, therefore advancing the knowledge about the implications of ethical leadership in Brazil.

Key methodological aspects: A survey was conducted in a multinational telecommunications company, with a sample of 161 store employees and 15 managers responsible for the sales units located in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The statistical analysis was done using the software SPSS, through multiple regression analyses conducted with the variables studied.

Summary of key results: The results corroborate the benefits of ethical leadership. They show a positive association between ethical leadership and both the quality of the leader-follower relationships and employee performance.

Key considerations/conclusions: The main contribution of this study is the presentation of evidence that ethics can have a positive influence in the quest for superior organizational results and productivity at work. Therefore, based on the findings, it is possible to recommend specific actions in leadership development programs, calling attention to the importance of discussing ethical dilemmas, behaviors, and models of practice.

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Author Biographies

Jeane Rodrigues Lucena Niemeyer, Universidade Federal Fluminense

Mestre em Administração de empresas pela PUC, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro com ênfase em Comportamento organizacional. É professora substituta da Faculdade de Administração e Ciências Contábeis da Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF). Seus principais interesses de pesquisa são: desenvolvimento de liderança, significado do trabalho, comprometimento e desempenho individual.

Flávia de Souza Costa Neves Cavazotte

Doutora em Administração, com ênfase em Comportamento Organizacional pela Virginia Commonwealth University. Professora de Administração e Liderança da PUC (Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro). Tem como interesses de pesquisa: liderança, cidadania e desempenho nas organizações; implicações da diversidade sobre a cooperação no trabalho; bem estar no trabalho.

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Additional Files

Published

2016-04-20

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 2 (2016)

Section

Human and Social Management

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