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Responsible Leadership and Sustainable Development in East Asia Economic Group: Application of Social Exchange Theory

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  • Wei Xuecheng

    (School of Management, University Sains Malaysia, George Town 11800, Malaysia
    School of Economics and Management, Inner Mongolia Normal University, Hohhot 010011, China)

  • Noor Hazlina Ahmad

    (School of Management, University Sains Malaysia, George Town 11800, Malaysia)

  • Qaisar Iqbal

    (Centre for China-India-Pakistan Studies, Sichuan University of Science and Engineering, Zigong 643000, China)

  • Bai Saina

    (School of Management, University Sains Malaysia, George Town 11800, Malaysia)

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the integrated relationship of responsible leadership, knowledge sharing, and sustainable performance, drawing from social exchange theory. Data from 264 employees of manufacturing firms in China were collected using online survey forms, exhibiting a response rate of 52.80 percent. Subsequently, the partial least square-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was applied to examine responsible leadership’s direct and indirect effect on sustainable performance. Current empirical evidence revealed that responsible leaders influence sustainable performance significantly among these firms. Moreover, knowledge sharing has partially mediated the link between responsible leadership-sustainable performance. Overall, the present study contributed to the responsible leadership theory and enriched the literature on sustainable development, where it was found that responsible leaders play a critical role in the latter. Policymakers and practitioners in organisations should take the initiative in fostering specific leadership training and knowledge sharing activities. Accordingly, several recommendations were suggested to policymakers, in which strong leadership is considered the primary role behind several organisational aspects. These aspects include success, knowledge, and information, encouraging sustainable development goals.

Suggested Citation

  • Wei Xuecheng & Noor Hazlina Ahmad & Qaisar Iqbal & Bai Saina, 2022. "Responsible Leadership and Sustainable Development in East Asia Economic Group: Application of Social Exchange Theory," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-16, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:10:p:6020-:d:816398
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    5. Mou Lin & Azura Abdullah Effendi & Qaisar Iqbal, 2022. "The Mechanism Underlying the Sustainable Performance of Transformational Leadership: Organizational Identification as Moderator," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-19, November.

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