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Journal of Business Ethics

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01-04-2012

Exploring the Process of Ethical Leadership: The Mediating Role of Employee Voice and Psychological Ownership

Authors: James B. Avey, Tara S. Wernsing, Michael E. Palanski

Published in: Journal of Business Ethics | Issue 1/2012

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Abstract

The study of ethical leadership has emerged as an important topic for understanding the effects of leadership in organizations. In a study with 845 working adults across multiple organizations, the relationships between ethical leadership with positive employee outcomes were examined. Results suggest that ethical leadership is related to both psychological well-being and job satisfaction in employees, but the processes are different. Employee voice mediated the relationship between ethical leadership and psychological well-being. Feelings of psychological ownership mediated the relationship between ethical leadership and job satisfaction. A discussion of theoretical and practical implications concludes the article.

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We acknowledge the difference between leadership and management. We acknowledge that not all leaders are in a position of authority and not all authority positions are occupied by leaders (Kotter 1990; Zaleznik, 1977). To be clear, in this study we use the term “leader” to denote a managerial leader or one who exerts influence from a position of authority, and leadership to represent the process of influencing people to achieve shared goals.

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Title: Exploring the Process of Ethical Leadership: The Mediating Role of Employee Voice and Psychological Ownership
Authors: James B. Avey
Tara S. Wernsing
Michael E. Palanski
Publication date: 01-04-2012
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Published in: Journal of Business Ethics / Issue 1/2012
Print ISSN: 0167-4544
Electronic ISSN: 1573-0697
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-012-1298-2

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