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Does self-sacrificial leadership reduce the subordinate’s organizational cynicism? The mediating role of distributive justice and ethical corporate social responsibility

Dong Yan (College of Foreign Studies, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, China)
Longzhen Li (Department of Business Administration, Hongik University – Sejong Campus, Jochiwon, South Korea)
Hyangsuk Jeon (Department of Business Administration, Hongik University – Sejong Campus, Jochiwon, South Korea)

Leadership & Organization Development Journal

ISSN: 0143-7739

Article publication date: 2 July 2024

53

Abstract

Purpose

Although self-sacrificial leadership and ethical leadership exhibit similarities in their moral dimensions, recent research suggests that self-sacrificial leadership may be linked to an increase in unethical behavior for the collective benefit of one’s group. Existing studies have demonstrated that ethical leadership can mitigate organizational cynicism. However, the potential misalignment between group interests and ethics associated with self-sacrificial leadership raises concerns about its potential to foster cynicism. This study investigates the mechanisms by which self-sacrificial leadership influences organizational cynicism.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data from 493 organizational members across 9 Chinese companies were analyzed using multiple regression analysis, and bootstrapping was employed to confirm the mediating effects.

Findings

Self-sacrificial leadership was found to have an overall reducing effect on organizational cynicism, with distributive justice and ethical CSR perceptions as significant mediating factors.

Originality/value

This study sheds light on the unique characteristics of self-sacrificial leadership, highlighting the elements of sacrifice and loyalty that may result in unethical, self-centered behaviors, and explores its influence on organizational cynicism. By revealing that the recognition of augmented group interests can diminish cynicism among organizational members regardless of morality, this study contributes to broadening the theoretical perspective.

Keywords

Citation

Yan, D., Li, L. and Jeon, H. (2024), "Does self-sacrificial leadership reduce the subordinate’s organizational cynicism? The mediating role of distributive justice and ethical corporate social responsibility", Leadership & Organization Development Journal, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/LODJ-01-2024-0040

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited

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