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Relational Leadership for Sustainability: Building an Ethical Framework from the Moral Theory of ‘Ethics of Care’

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  • Jessica Nicholson

    (University of Guelph)

  • Elizabeth Kurucz

    (University of Guelph)

Abstract

The practice of relational leadership is essential for dealing with the increasingly urgent and complex social, economic and environmental issues that characterize sustainability. Despite growing attention to both relational leadership and leadership for sustainability, an ethical understanding of both is limited. This is problematic as both sustainability and relational leadership are rife with moral implications. This paper conceptually explores how the moral theory of ‘ethics of care’ can help to illuminate the ethical dimensions of relational leadership for sustainability. In doing so, the implications of ethics of care more broadly for the practice of relational leadership development are elaborated. From a caring perspective, a ‘relational stance’ or logic of effectiveness can be fostered through engaging in a reflective process of moral education through conversation. In starting this dialogue, we can begin to build capacity for relational leadership for sustainability and, thus, support the development of individual well-being and organizational and societal flourishing.

Suggested Citation

  • Jessica Nicholson & Elizabeth Kurucz, 2019. "Relational Leadership for Sustainability: Building an Ethical Framework from the Moral Theory of ‘Ethics of Care’," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 156(1), pages 25-43, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:156:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1007_s10551-017-3593-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-017-3593-4
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    Cited by:

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    6. Xianchun Zhang & Zhu Yao, 2019. "Impact of relational leadership on employees’ unethical pro-organizational behavior: A survey based on tourism companies in four countries," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(12), pages 1-19, December.
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    8. Layla J. Branicki, 2020. "COVID‐19, ethics of care and feminist crisis management," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(5), pages 872-883, September.
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    16. Elena Beketova & Irina Leontyeva & Svetlana Zubanova & Aleksandr Gryaznukhin & Vasily Movchun, 2020. "RETRACTED ARTICLE: Creating an optimal environment for distance learning in higher education: discovering leadership issues," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 6(1), pages 1-6, June.
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    20. Janet Johansson & Alice Wickström, 2023. "Constructing a ‘Different’ Strength: A Feminist Exploration of Vulnerability, Ethical Agency and Care," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 184(2), pages 317-331, May.

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