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Ethical leadership: A structured review into construct, measurement, public sector context and effects

Fahad Shakeel (Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands)
Peter Mathieu Kruyen (Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands)
Sandra Van Thiel (Department of Public Administration, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands)

International Journal of Public Leadership

ISSN: 2056-4929

Article publication date: 17 January 2020

Issue publication date: 28 January 2020

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to offer a review of the selected literature in ethical leadership synthesizing findings from 45 articles selected from journals on leadership, public administration, organizational behavior, psychology and ethics.

Design/methodology/approach

Four themes are addressed: the conceptualization of ethical leadership theories, the existence of popular measurement instruments for ethical leadership, findings on ethical leadership in the public sector and outcomes of ethical leadership in terms of benefits and negative consequences.

Findings

The definition by Brown et al. (2005) is the most frequently used definition, even though recent criticism states that this definition may be too narrow. Ethical leadership is usually measured by means of a survey; however, there are at least three different questionnaires in use. In the public sector, ethical leadership has been linked to both positive outcomes and negative consequences.

Research limitations/implications

This paper only includes selected academic articles and does not include published books.

Originality/value

Based on our findings, the authors present recommendations for future research, among others into a broader conceptualization of ethical leadership and the use of mixed methods.

Keywords

Citation

Shakeel, F., Kruyen, P.M. and Van Thiel, S. (2020), "Ethical leadership: A structured review into construct, measurement, public sector context and effects", International Journal of Public Leadership, Vol. 16 No. 1, pp. 88-108. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPL-09-2019-0060

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited

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