The Effect Of Leader Moral Development On Ethical Climate And Employee Attitudes

This study examines the effect of leader moral development on the organization\u27s ethical climate and employee attitudes. Results indicate that the relationship between leader moral development and ethical climate is moderated by two factors: the extent to which the leader utilizes his or her cognitive moral development (i.e., capacity for ethical reasoning), and the age of the organization. Specifically, the influence of the leader\u27s moral development was stronger for high utilizing leaders, those whose moral actions were consistent with their moral reasoning. Additionally, the influence of the leader\u27s moral development was stronger in younger organizations. Finally, as predicted, congruence between the leader\u27s moral development and the employee\u27s moral development was positively associated with job satisfaction and organizational commitment and negatively associated with turnover intentions. © 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved