The Role of Leadership in Developing and Managing Ethics in an Organization

Abstract Book of the 10th International Conference on Research in Management

Year: 2026

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The Role of Leadership in Developing and Managing Ethics in an Organization

Prof. Dr. Michael Banutu-Gomez, Ramatoulie Whan Banutu-Gomez, Mariama Bojang

ABSTRACT:

The purpose of this study is to examine the role of leadership in developing, implementing, and sustaining ethics within organizations. Ethical behavior is a critical component of organizational success, influencing decision-making, employee conduct, and long-term sustainability. This research adopts a quantitative approach, utilizing structured survey questionnaires distributed to employees across various organizations, complemented by an extensive review of existing literature. The findings reveal a strong correlation between effective leadership and the successful establishment and management of organizational ethics programs. Leaders play a central role in formulating codes of ethics, promoting ethical standards, and fostering a culture of integrity by leading through example. The study further indicates that ethical leadership positively impacts employee behavior, organizational trust, and overall performance. Additionally, results show that 34% of respondents advocate for increased ethics training and regular team discussions to address unethical practices and encourage open communication. The study concludes that maintaining workplace ethics requires continuous effort, strategic leadership, and shared responsibility among all organizational members. Effective leaders must adopt innovative strategies to reinforce ethical practices and ensure their sustainability in dynamic business environments.

Keywords: Code of Ethics; Ethical Leadership; Implementation; Organizational Behavior; Program