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The Effects of Ethical Leadership and Ethical Climate on Employee Ethical Behavior in the International Port Context

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Abstract

This study empirically examined the effects of ethical leadership and ethical climate on employee ethical behavior in the international port context using survey data collected from 128 respondents who worked in Taiwan International Ports Corporation (TIPC) in Taiwan. Research hypotheses were formulated from the previous literature and tested using structural equation modeling. Results indicated that ethical leadership had a significant impact on ethical climate and the ethical behavior of TIPC employees. Ethical climate was found to be positively associated with employee ethical behavior. The theoretical and practical implications of the research findings are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the National Science Council, Taiwan, ROC, for its sponsorship in this research under the research grant number NSC 100-2410-H-006-008-MY2.

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Correspondence to Chin-Shan Lu.

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Lu, CS., Lin, CC. The Effects of Ethical Leadership and Ethical Climate on Employee Ethical Behavior in the International Port Context. J Bus Ethics 124, 209–223 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-013-1868-y

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