Ethical Leadership and Ethical Organizational Culture: Two Pillars for Fighting Against Corruption in the Organizations

Abstract

In developing countries, ethics is a utopia antithetical to corruption that permeates every aspect of society and whose deleterious effects are felt for years. In these countries, acts of corruption take many forms, ranging from minor infractions to the most pernicious acts. The role of the leader is prominent in public and private organizations as he is the main catalyst that promotes ethical or corrupt behavior. In the presence of a corrupt leader, acts of corruption abound, but when the leader is ethical, employees are more inclined to apply ethics and follow existing regulations. The behavior of an ethical leader can be institutionalized in the company through a strong ethical organizational culture that applies to all levels of the hierarchy and contributes to sustainable finance and goals.