Original Research
The principled leadership scale: An integration of value-based leadership
Submitted: 22 May 2018 | Published: 27 March 2019
About the author(s)
Karen Hendrikz, Department of Industrial Psychology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South AfricaAmos S. Engelbrecht, Department of Industrial Psychology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Abstract
Orientation: A need exists to investigate leader behaviour necessary to curb the corruption that has infected and weakened South Africa’s moral fibre. Such leader behaviour would need to be underpinned by a set of universal moral values.
Research purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a new measure, the principled leadership scale (PLS), by integrating the value-based behaviours inherent in transformational, servant, authentic and ethical leadership.
Motivation for the study: Leader behaviour intrinsic to value-based leadership was found to be closely aligned with universal moral values. Because the study found a considerable overlap between the behaviours mentioned in the value-based leadership theories, it sought to integrate these behaviours under one construct and to develop a reliable and valid scale to assess this construct.
Research approach/design and method: Data from the quantitative study were analysed by means of item analysis, exploratory and confirmatory bi-factor analysis conducted via structural equation modelling.
Main findings: The confirmatory bi-factor solution corroborated a strong general principled leadership factor and four moderately weak group factors. The statistical analyses provided good fit of the PLS measurement model with the empirical data.
Practical and managerial implications: The study found acceptable measurement properties of the PLS that may be used for applications, such as the selecting, training and developing of ethical leadership in organisations.
Contribution/value-add: The study adds value in that it is the first to integrate the four value-based leadership theories under one construct and to develop a potential psychometrically sound instrument to measure principled leadership.
Keywords
Metrics
Total abstract views: 7815Total article views: 6622
Crossref Citations
1. An Exploration of the Servant Leadership Literature in Connection with the US Fire Department Leadership Practices and Behaviors
Reginald D. Freeman
International Journal of Public and Private Perspectives on Healthcare, Culture, and the Environment vol: 6 issue: 1 first page: 1 year: 2022
doi: 10.4018/IJPPPHCE.309405