Nexus of Leadership Behaviour and Morality: Insights from the Indian IT Sector

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between leadership behaviour and perceived morality among professionals in the Indian Information Technology (IT) sector, addressing a critical gap in leadership studies by integrating Moral Foundations Theory (MFT) and the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ). Leadership factors such as charisma, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration were analyzed alongside morality dimensions like care, fairness, loyalty, respect, and purity. Findings reveal that while morality and leadership behavior individually contribute significantly to their respective domains, there is negligible cross-impact between the two (2.2% and 1.3%, respectively). Contrary to earlier studies, these results suggest limited managerial implications regarding the interplay of morality and leadership. However, organizations can benefit by incorporating moral reasoning assessments during recruitment and fostering ethical work cultures through codes of conduct and periodic ethics training. Emphasizing moral courage and ethical decision-making through targeted programs is also recommended for developing morally conscious leaders. This study underscores the importance of ethical frameworks in leadership and organizational practices.