The influence of ethical context on social performance of the organisations: the mediating effect of ethical leadership

• Main Author: Latakaite, Zivile
• Publication Date: 2021
• Format: Master thesis
• Language: eng
• Source: Repositórios Científicos de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (RCAAP)
• Download full: http://hdl.handle.net/10071/24270
• topic: Ethical context; Ethical infrastructure; Social performance; Ethical leadership; Meritocracy corporate social responsibility; Contexto ético; Infraestrutura ética; Desempenho social; Liderança ética; Meritocracia; Responsabilidade social corporativa

This research expands knowledge of the influence of different ethical components found in the workplace on employee perceptions towards the social performance of the organisation. The research proposes and empirically tests a conceptual model examining the relationship between the existing ethical context of the company and its perceived social performance. The research uses a single, cross-sectional research design and collected data (N = 182) is analysed using regression and bootstrapping analyses. Tested hypotheses confirm that ethical leadership has a mediating effect between ethical context and perceived social performance of the organisation. Furthermore, as hypothesised, a direct relationship is discovered between ethical context of the organisation, its elements, and the perception of social performance practices implemented. Two dimensions of the social performance were identified during the course of this study: transparent communication practices and ethical decision-making practices. After reviewing the implications for theory and practice of these findings, we conclude that for organisations to be considered the frontrunners of the workplace managed according to social well-being principles, it is crucially important to have an established ethical context with prominent ethical leadership.