Ethical Leadership and Followers' Attitudes Toward Corporate Social Responsibility: The Role of Perceived Ethical Work Climate

Abstract

Increasing attention is being paid to how leaders influence followers' perceptions of the importance of ethics and corporate social responsibility (CSR) for organizational effectiveness. However, few researchers have conducted empirical investigations into the impact of leadership style on followers' attitudes toward CSR. In this study, participants comprised 313 employees of 5 large financial and banking service firms in Korea. Results indicated that ethical leadership was strongly associated with followers' rating of CSR. In addition, we examined how employees' perception of ethical work climate mediates and moderates the relationship between ethical leadership and followers' attitudes toward CSR. Our findings supported a positive link between ethical leadership and followers' attitudes toward CSR, with perception of an ethical work climate acting as a significant mediator and moderator in this relationship. Implications for leadership practice and CSR, and recommendations for future research directions are discussed.