Ethical Design Leadership

Purpose This is a step-by-step guide for teaching Ethics and Ethical Leadership utilizing the Harvard Everest Leadership and Teams Simulation, V.3. The suggested approach is focused on facilitating a discussion and coaching students to recognize and solve problems by applying moral theory explicitly and deliberately. Applying this approach can also help them develop a habit of analyzing one’s own and others' behavior using ethical lenses and principles of authentic leadership. It offers practical debrief steps and specific discussion questions that can be used as a standalone resource or alongside the Harvard teaching note accompanying the simulation. Design/methodology/approach This innovative approach enables teaching and coaching students on the ethical aspects of their leadership and decision-making based on this hands-on experience with the Harvard Everest Leadership and Teams Simulation. This approach enriches the original HBR teaching suggestions by enabling students to recognize moral dilemmas, confront typical rationalizations and practice ethical actions and decision-making in real time. Findings In-class discussion and student reflection assignments provide evidence of the method's effectiveness in translating values into impactful insights and enhanced likelihood of ethical behaviors in real-life scenarios. Students’ end-of-class feedback and course evaluations often cite the benefits of using the Everest simulation as a backdrop for raising self-awareness and practicing ethical decision-making. Practical implications The approach discussed in the paper can serve as a flexible framework for analyzing and debriefing the HBR Everest simulation and other simulations, “survival scenario” exercises and activities designed to teach and facilitate practicing ethical leadership, authentic leadership and ethical decision making. It is adaptable and can be effectively applied across various disciplines centered around ethical leadership, teamwork, communication and decision-making in higher education and business. Originality/value Harvard Everest Leadership and Teams Simulation is among the most popular ones in business education and is used by teachers worldwide (Roberto & Edmondson, 2017). While a comprehensive teaching note on communication and group dynamics is available through Harvard Business Publishing, it still needs to address the ethical issues students face during the simulation. This paper provides a roadmap for instructors who want to improve the student experience with ethical decision-making and ethical leadership.

There is extensive knowledge about ethical leadership in various contexts and large organizations in Zimbabwe. However, there is a notable lack of research on ethical leadership in the SME environment. This qualitative study aimed to develop an ethical leadership framework for Zimbabwe's SME context based on the viewpoint of employees and leaders. Purposive sampling was used to identify 15 employees and leaders in five SMEs in the manufacturing sector in Harare, Zimbabwe. Data were collected using interviews to understand the critical characteristics, styles, and consequences of ethical leadership in SMEs. Thematic analysis was used to analyze interview data. Results reveal that the five critical characteristics that constitute ethical leadership for SMEs in Zimbabwe are incorruptibility, fairness, exemplarity, respectfulness, and sustainability. The study found that the primary styles of leadership employed by ethical leaders in SMEs in Zimbabwe are authentic leadership and servant leadership. The consequences of ethical leadership in SMEs in Zimbabwe include its benefits to the leadership, followers, and organization. The study proposes an ethical leadership framework for adoption by SMEs in Zimbabwe, enabling them to survive and succeed in a competitive environment.

In today’s rapidly evolving digital economy, the need for ethical transformative leadership and good governance has become paramount. This abstract explores the application of Jesus Christ’s servant leadership as a model for fostering ethical leadership and effective governance in the digital business environment. The digital economy has ushered in unprecedented opportunities and challenges in the Kenyan business environment. On one hand, technological advancements have led to increased connectivity and economic growth. On the other hand, issues related to data privacy, cyber security and ethical concerns have risen to the forefront. In this context, leadership and governance are instrumental in navigating the complexities of the digital age. Jesus Christ’s servant leadership provides a compelling framework for ethical transformative leadership. His teachings emphasized humility, empathy and a commitment to serving others. In the digital economy, leaders who embrace these principles can inspire trust and guide organizations towards ethical practices. By prioritizing the welfare of their teams and stakeholders, servant leaders create an environment conducive to ethical decision-making. Moreover, good governance is essential for ensuring transparency, accountability, and the protection of stakeholders’ interests in the digital economy. Jesus Christ’s governance model, characterized by fairness and a commitment to justice, can be applied to corporate governance. Effective governance structures such as boards of directors can draw inspiration from this model to make sound decisions that benefit both shareholders and society. This abstract also discusses the importance of ethical leadership and governance in addressing pressing digital economy issues. It highlights the significance of fostering a corporate culture that values integrity, inclusivity and sustainability. By following the servant leadership model, businesses can become ethical stewards of the digital realm, promoting responsible innovation and equitable growth. In conclusion, as the digital economy continues to shape our world, ethical transformative leadership and good governance are indispensable. Drawing inspiration from Jesus Christ’s servant leadership, organizations can develop leaders who prioritize the well-being of their teams and stakeholders. By implementing fair and just governance practices, they can ensure accountability and transparency. Ultimately, this approach contributes to a sustainable and ethical digital business environment.

The research proved that an organization can progress robust through integration, corporate performance, corporate governance and corporate social responsibility utilizing natured or nurtured ethical leaders.To develop leaders and followers, more commitment should be shown by the management. Principles of corporate governance must have formulated equally by all stakeholders. An ethical leadership has to employ organizational culture in mainstreaming corporate performance, corporate governance and corporate social responsibility.Leadership plays a vital role in enhancement the ethical performance in organizations, but the ways in which leaders’ actions intersect with formal moral regulations in shaping behavior have not been subject to research. This article addresses this topic through a qualitative study of the work of the “ethical leadership framework responsibility dimension in Conflict in the Time of (Corona-Covid -19)”.This research used the technique of stratified sampling to choose the respondents which accomplished the questionnaire and linear regression to analyze the generated data. Those were employed to examine the influence of ethical leadership on corporate performance, corporate governance and corporate social responsibility in chosen Lebanese communication public organization.

Purpose Applied ethics is critical for preparing engineers to navigate complex technological dilemmas, yet most ethics education research remains focused on Western contexts. This pilot study explores the potential relevance of European sociological and ethical frameworks – including Morin’s “complex thought,” Touraine’s “ethics of the Subject” and Rendtorff’s principles of cosmopolitan ethics – within the unique multicultural environment of Gulf engineering education. Design/methodology/approach A pilot survey of 32 first-year engineering students in Kuwait assessed ethical sensitivity using scenario-based questions aligned with professional codes of conduct. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted, including factor analysis, cluster analysis and gender-disaggregated t-tests. Findings Findings reveal that 51% of students consistently rated unethical behaviors as “very unethical,” with significant gender differences emerging in areas such as gift-giving (p = 0.038) and pilfering organizational resources (p = 0.021). Comparisons with previous Western studies highlight both universal principles and culturally-specific nuances, with gaps identified in competence awareness and collegial support. Research limitations/implications The study’s small sample (*n* = 32) limits generalizability but provides a foundation for longitudinal work. Future research should: (1) expand to Gulf-wide cohorts, (2) track ethical development post-graduation, and (3) compare current data with Western/Asian contexts to test cultural variability. The survey’s prescriptive format may overlook nuanced reasoning; follow-ups should include interviews or vignettes. Theoretical implications include refining Morin’s “reflexive responsibility” for non-Western settings and validating Rendtorff’s cosmopolitan ethics in stakeholder-driven economies. These limitations highlight the need for larger-scale, mixed-methods studies to bridge sociology and applied ethics in engineering education. Practical implications The study proposes actionable reforms: Curriculum: embed ethics across all levels (e.g. link thermodynamics to sustainability ethics); Pedagogy: use gender-sensitive peer mentoring (leveraging female students’ higher Q5/Q11 scores) and stakeholder role-playing (Bonnafous-Boucher and Rendtorff, 2023); assessment: implement ethics audits for senior projects (Jonas’ long-term accountability); Faculty training: address gaps in professors’ ethics instruction (Jutras, 2013). Social implications By cultivating “cosmopolitan engineers” (Rendtorff, 2017a), this research addresses societal challenges in the Gulf’s megaprojects (e.g. AI ethics in smart cities, sustainability in oil/gas). Findings reveal tensions between wasta (nepotism) and global professional standards, suggesting reforms could reduce corruption risks. Gender differences highlight opportunities to leverage women’s ethical leadership in STEM. The framework’s emphasis on reflexive responsibility (Morin) promotes equitable technology deployment, benefiting marginalized communities. If adopted, these recommendations could position Kuwait as a regional leader in ethical engineering education, bridging collectivist traditions with transnational accountability – a model for post-colonial STEM development. Originality/value The study contributes an initial, non-Western exploration of European ethical theory and offers practical strategies for embedding ethics across engineering curricula. It proposes a scaffolded approach – from bachelor’s to PhD levels – that fosters “reflexive responsibility” and aligns with Kuwait’s national vision for sustainable development. This work underscores the value of integrating theoretical depth with empirical insight to cultivate ethically engaged engineers in globalized contexts.

Given the significant issues leaders face in the intercollegiate sport context, the need to lead ethically is paramount. This special issue, Ethical Leadership in Intercollegiate Sport, highlights the need for ethical leadership, explores enhancing ethical leadership and ethical decision-making, and examines ways to reduce unethical behavior within intercollegiate athletics. This introductory paper defines ethical leadership and identifies opportunities to better understand ethical leadership in the context of intercollegiate sport.

The aim of the present study was to investigate emotional exhaustion, work engagement, and turnover intention in the nursing profession by exploring the antecedent effects of ethical leadership and job components such as decision authority. Emotional exhaustion, low work engagement, and high turnover intention are prevalent issues in the nursing profession. The experience of feeling overworked has led to feelings of burnout and low morale among nurses in Ireland, which has prompted the authors to identify potential variables that reduce these outcomes-in this case, ethical leadership and decision authority. A descriptive, cross-sectional survey design was used across three hospital sites. A cross-sectional sample of 89 nurses was recruited from three Irish hospitals to capture the experience of nurses between December 2017 - February 2018. Hypotheses were tested using path model analysis. Ethical leadership positively predicted decision authority among nurses. Ethical leadership also had an indirect effect on all three outcome variables (work engagement, exhaustion, and turnover intention). Further effects were noted in relation to the mediators in relation to the three outcome variables. Decision authority had a positive effect on work engagement and related to lower turnover intention. The present study demonstrated the role of ethical leadership as a mechanism to positively affect job control and work experience outcomes for nurses at work. Ethical leadership style in hospitals and providing nurses with the authority to make decisions can improve their work experience and help to engage, support, and retain nurses. The study found support for the positive role of ethical leadership in relation to decision authority and as a positive predictor of work engagement, negative predictor of emotional exhaustion, and turnover intention among nurses.

Purpose This study aims to identify the impact of ethical leadership on ethical voice by determining two paths covering relational identification and psychological safety. The first path focused on relational identification and psychological safety. Alternatively, the second path focused on organizational identification and psychological ownership leading to ethical voice. The specific objective of the study is to develop and test an integrated model of ethical leadership. Design/methodology/approach The objectives were achieved through the adoption of quantitative research techniques. Two hundred forty-eight samples were collected from the banking sector using quantitative research techniques, and data was gathered through a self-administrated questionnaire. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used through AMOS to generate the results and test hypotheses. Findings The results suggested a significant impact of ethical leadership on ethical voice, while the other paths’ results, such as relational identification, psychological safety, organizational identification and psychological ownership, suggested partial mediation. The study result adds new insights into ethical leadership and social exchange theory since it tested overlooked paths in the literature, such as relational identification and psychological safety. Research limitations/implications The research highlights the significance of ethical voice as a desirable organizational behavior. Ethical voice contributes to a culture of accountability, transparency and ethical decision-making. Organizations should establish channels and platforms for employees to voice ethical concerns and suggestions. This may involve regular feedback sessions, anonymous reporting mechanisms and protection policies for whistleblowers. Leaders should actively encourage and value ethical voices as a valuable contribution to the ethical climate of the organization. Practical implications The study found that ethical leaders influence their followers in such a way that they adopt ethical behavior. It is also validated that organizational ethics are shared by employees who interact with ethical leaders. So, departments should train such leaders because ethical leadership positively affects followers’ attitudes and behaviors, and organizations should encourage ethical behavior in supervisors and subordinates. The study also found that relational and organizational identification helps employees develop psychological capabilities, which leads to reporting workplace misconduct. The current study tested these mechanisms collectively and found that ethical leadership significantly contributes to ethical voice. Social implications The current study highlighted the role of ethical leaders in promoting ethical behavior, improving employee well-being and engagement, cultivating collaboration and inclusion, and making a contribution to the overall ethical climate within organizations and society as a whole. Organizations can have a positive impact on the social fabric by cultivating a culture of ethics, respect and social responsibility if they make these considerations their top priorities. Originality/value The current study is unique since it is intended to develop and test an integrated model of ethical leadership and ethical voice. This research combines an integrated model, focusing on employees’ identities and self-concepts and examining ethical voice as a behavioral outcome.

PurposeDrawing upon a circular model proposition, Kantian ethics is employed to explore how ethical considerations within AI translate into concrete actions that prioritize transparency, privacy, inclusivity and equality. Additionally, agency theory is applied to understand the relevance of fairness in the interactions between agents, principals and algorithmic systems, particularly in the creation of value through digital platforms.Design/methodology/approachA review of literature on ethical concerns within the AI ecosystem is conducted, proposing a unifying ethical principle and standards. The circular model for ethics in action is then developed, emphasising the responsible use of AI and its role in capturing and creating social value, ultimately contributing to sustainable organizational outcomes. The model also highlights key drivers that shape the ethical framing of AI, as well as the influence of the institutional context on its adoption and effectiveness.FindingsResponsible use of AI positively affects organizational performance and the digital ecosystem via the psychological mechanism of ethical identity. Ethical standards and regulations are the global requirements for the AI ecosystem that are required for achieving a sustainable digital society.Research limitations/implicationsThis study contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the responsible use of AI’s and its practical and theoretical implications for organizations in the current digital ecosystem. Lack of global understanding, awareness and implementation of ethical practice in the AI ecosystem is not yet developed and practice. Future researchers can design a cross-border ethical framework to overcome these limitations. Organizations targeting to increase responsible digital interactions can benefit from maintaining ethical principles through responsible labourers, leaders and all stakeholders involved in the ecosystem.Practical implicationsThis study offers practical guidance for businesses, policymakers and AI practitioners on the ethical use of AI. It emphasizes the need for robust data governance, a “human-first” approach focusing on privacy and accountability and alignment with ethical standards. Given AI’s global reach, international cooperation and standard-setting are essential to navigate diverse regulatory and cultural contexts. The paper also highlights the importance of ethics education for AI developers and practitioners. Investing in training that integrates technical skills with ethical awareness will help build a responsible AI workforce capable of addressing societal impacts and maintaining public trust.Social implicationsThis study underscores the urgent need for responsible AI adoption, highlighting risks such as bias, lack of transparency and privacy concerns. As AI reshapes work, decision-making and governance, its social impact grows – potentially deepening inequalities if left unchecked. The study calls for explainable, fair and inclusive AI systems guided by ethical frameworks that respect human dignity. A “human-first” approach ensures AI supports-not replaces-human agency. By fostering transparency, accountability and cultural sensitivity, organizations can build public trust, empower diverse communities and contribute to a more equitable digital future. Ethical leadership and inclusive design are essential to avoid reinforcing systemic harms.Originality/valueThis study presents an original approach to integrating ethical considerations into the development and deployment of artificial intelligence, by conceptualizing how transparency, accountability and inclusivity can be embedded throughout the AI ecosystem, fostering trust and responsible innovation. Through a comprehensive examination of ethical principles and requirements, we recommend a set of tools and strategies needed to promote ethical AI practices, mitigate risks and maximize societal benefit. Furthermore, this study serves as a roadmap for building AI systems that prioritize human collaboration and uphold fundamental values in the digital age.

Whistleblowing is widely recognised as a fundamental element of organisational responsibility and fraud prevention; however, the dominant literature remains rooted in Western legalism and behavioural economics, favouring protection regimes and incentive structures over ethical ontology. Drawing on Islamic primary sources, this study reconceptualises whistleblowing as a form of spiritual governance rather than mere procedural compliance. Using thematic analysis, the Qur’an and the Sunnah are examined as ethical frameworks to theorise accountability beyond formal surveillance and legal deterrence. The analysis identifies four core concepts: amānah (trust), shahāda (truthful witnessing), amr bil maʿrūf wa nahi ʿanil munkar (enjoining good and forbidding wrong), and iḥsān (ethical excellence) as a coherent governance model that repositions whistleblowing as a moral duty, truth-telling as an epistemic obligation, and fraud prevention as safeguarding the public interest (maṣlaḥah). The findings demonstrate that Islamic ethics internalises accountability through divine consciousness, thereby heightening the moral significance of silence and transforming disclosure into a covenantal responsibility. The study advances accounting scholarship by (i) reframing accountability as moral ontology rather than organisational instrument, (ii) positioning Islam as an ethical framework capable of generating theory rather than a mere contextual variable, and (iii) expanding governance theory beyond Anglo-American instrumentalism. Implications are drawn for governance design, policy integration, professional education, and ethical leadership in Muslim-majority contexts, emphasising the importance of aligning institutional frameworks with indigenous moral logics to achieve legitimacy and effectiveness. By conceptualising whistleblowing as worship through justice, the study offers an alternative paradigm for accountability grounded in faith, conscience, and collective wellbeing.

The objective of this research is to examine the impact of ethical leadership on the ethical decision-making beliefs of students in the field of business management, specifically focusing on the data collected from Bangladesh. The study covers a heterogeneous sample of 406 participants, including individuals of all genders and varying age ranges, mostly from Dhaka University and North South University. The results indicate that all participants had a reasonable level of acquaintance with ethical leadership, indicating a consistent level of awareness among them. The participants expressed mostly favorable perspectives towards ethical leadership, as a substantial majority agreed that ethical leaders demonstrate integrity and act as exemplars of ethical conduct within the professional setting. Regarding the matter of ethical decision-making within the realm of business management, a considerable agreement exists, emphasizing its indispensability for the long-term prosperity of a firm. However, divergent viewpoints are evident about its effects on reputation, customer trust, staff morale, organizational culture, and sustainable practices. The research further examined the observation of ethical leaders, experiences with ethical challenges, and the incorporation of formal ethical training into company management. The vast majority of participants said that they had seen the presence of ethical leaders and had faced ethical challenges, underscoring their widespread occurrence. Additionally, a significant majority expressed support for the incorporation of structured ethical training within the realm of corporate management. In spite of these findings, a statistical analysis using ordered logistic regression revealed that the associations between the independent variables (Ethical Decision-Making, Observation of Ethical Leaders, Encounter with Ethical Dilemmas, Belief in Formal Ethical Training) and the ordinal dependent variable did not reach statistical significance at conventional thresholds. This finding indicates that, based on the parameters of this study, the variables in question did not demonstrate a strong predictive relationship with the ordinal dependent variable. However, this research provides significant contributions to the understanding of how students in Bangladesh perceive ethical leadership and ethical decision-making. It highlights the significance of ethics education and the presence of ethical role models in the realm of business management.

Within the dynamic and constantly evolving digital landscape of Web 3.0, the significance of ethical leadership cannot be overstated, as it plays a crucial role in guiding enterprises and individuals towards responsible behaviour and decision-making. This chapter aims to analyse the core concepts of ethical leadership in the digital age, emphasizing the challenges and opportunities presented by Web 3.0 technology. The qualitative research methodology outlined in this chapter provides a robust framework for exploring ethical leadership in the digital age. This study highlights the importance of transparency, responsibility, and societal obligations in ethical leadership in the digital age. Leaders may cultivate trust with stakeholders, mitigate risks, and create a culture of ethical innovation and governance by prioritizing these ideals. The findings of this research have significant implications for those in positions of leadership, politics, and academia who want to promote ethical behaviour and decision-making within the context of the digital age. Using ethical leadership principles in organizational practices and policies may contribute to promoting a digital environment that is both ethical and sustainable. The present study contributes to the existing literature by examining the principles of ethical leadership within the distinct context of Web 3.0 technology. This study comprehensively examines leaders’ challenges and opportunities in the digital age.

The world has been facing unprecedented challenges with various ethical issues within organisations, which is related to ethical leadership and decision making amongst other things. Subsequently, this paper is focused on the interrelationships between organisational culture, ethical organisational climate, ethical leadership, decision making and workplace pressures. The effect of these ethical related constructs on organisational citizenship behaviour, employee ethical behaviour, conduct, and perceived employee performance is further studied, from a macro-meso-micro perspective. This quantitative study used a cross-sectional design and survey strategy. The sample consisted of 526 participants of varying backgrounds working in “large” enterprises across diverse industries in Mauritius. The results of this study show that organisational culture and ethical organisation climate (as macro independent variables) jointly influence the dependent variables (organisational citizenship behaviour, employee ethical behaviour and conduct, and perceived employee performance) both directly and indirectly to varying degrees. It was also found that ethical leadership and decision making, and internal and external workplace pressures (as meso variables) have statistically significant mediating effects on organisational citizenship behaviour and perceived employee performance. The model proved to have a good fit and can be adopted as a guiding model for the business and research communities in fostering organisational citizenship behaviour. Lastly, recommendations were made to enhance the ethical and organisational citizenship behaviour within the corporate environment of Mauritius.

Bu çalışma, üniversite öğrencilerinin internet bağımlılığı ile beslenme ve egzersiz davranışları arasındaki ilişkinin belirlenmesi amacıyla yapıldı. Tanımlayıcı tipteki bu çalışma, 20.11.2021-20.12.2021 tarihleri arasında Türkiye’de Orta Anadolu Bölgesinde bulunan bir Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi’nde yapıldı. Çalışmada evrenin %82’sine ulaşılarak, 597 üniversite öğrencinin katılımı ile tamamlandı. Araştırmanın verileri “Bilgi Formu”, “İnternet Bağımlılık Testi” ve “Beslenme Egzersiz Davranış Ölçeği” kullanıldı. Verilerin değerlendirilmesinde Sperman korelasyon analizi kullanıldı. Katılan öğrencilerin yaş ortalamasının 20.08±1.06 yıl, BKI ortalamasının 21.82±3.10 kg/m2, %84.8’inin kız olduğu saptandı. Öğrencilerin toplam Beslenme Egzersiz Davranış Ölçeği puan ortalaması 131.13±18.76 ve İnternet Bağımlılık Testi puan ortalaması 30.04±10.57’dir. Beslenme egzersiz davranış ölçeği ile internet bağımlılığı testi puan ortalamaları arasında pozitif yönde zayıf düzeyde bir ilişki vardır (p<0.001). Öğrencilerin internet bağımlılığı arttıkça psikolojik yeme davranışı ve sağlıksız beslenme egzersiz davranışı artmaktadır. Üniversite öğrencilerini sağlıklı beslenme konusunda destekleyecek mobil uygulama ya da online derslerin seçmeli ders olarak verilmesi önerilir.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the ethical leadership and financial reporting practices in Chad. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The study indicated that when leaders prioritize ethical conduct and integrity, it positively influences how financial information is reported and communicated to stakeholders. Ethical leaders foster a culture of transparency, accountability, and honesty, which leads to more accurate and reliable financial reporting. This, in turn, enhances investor confidence, reduces the risk of financial fraud, and promotes long-term sustainability for the organization. Studies also highlight the importance of ethical leadership in regulatory compliance, as leaders who prioritize ethics are more likely to ensure that financial reporting practices adhere to legal and ethical standards. Overall, the link between ethical leadership and financial reporting practices underscores the significant impact that leaders have on the integrity and credibility of financial information within companies. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: Transformational leadership theory, stakeholder theory and agency theory may be used to anchor future studies on assessing the ethical leadership and financial reporting practices in Chad. Organizations should implement comprehensive ethics training programs for leaders and employees to enhance ethical awareness, decision-making, and behavior related to financial reporting. Policymakers and regulators should strengthen regulatory oversight and enforcement mechanisms related to financial reporting practices.