ABSTRACT

Ethical leaders can influence followers’ ethical behaviors by establishing an ethical climate. However, followers’ responses to an ethical climate may also differ according to the amount of attention they devote to moral questions. This study analyzes whether moral attentiveness augments the positive effect of an ethical climate on employees’ ethical behaviors, as well as the indirect effect of ethical leadership on employee ethical behavior through an ethical climate. Data from 270 employees in the Malaysian manufacturing industry indicate that the positive impact of an ethical climate on ethical behavior is greater among employees who exhibit high rather than low moral attentiveness; this moderating role also applies to the relationship between ethical leadership and employee ethical behavior through the ethical climate. This study thus sheds new light on the notable role of moral attentiveness in ensuring that ethical leadership and ethical climate enhance ethical behavior in the workplace.

摘要

道德领导者可以通过建立道德氛围来影响下属的道德行为。然而，追随者对道德氛围的反应也可能因他们对道德问题的关注程度而异。本研究分析了道德关注是否会增强道德氛围对员工道德行为的积极影响，以及道德领导通过道德氛围对员工道德行为的间接影响。来自马来西亚制造业 270 名员工的数据表明，道德氛围对道德行为的积极影响在道德关注度高而不是低的员工中更大；通过道德氛围，这种调节作用也适用于道德领导和员工道德行为之间的关系。