Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Management

Advisor

Dr. Kimberly Anthony

Abstract

The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to explore the lived experiences of followers under unethical leadership in private and public organizations in the United States. Data collection involved interviewing 20 participants from private or public U.S. organizations with open-ended interview question. Participant selection was limited to followers and frontline employees who directly contact stakeholders. Utilitarianism, Adams’s equity theory, social learning theory, stakeholder theory, and Eudaimonia were the conceptual frameworks used to guide this study. The data analysis process in this phenomenological study consisted of using the two-cycle analysis and the modified Stevick-Colaizzi-Keen method. The findings demonstrated eight overarching themes: (a) emphasizing morality, (b) issues of honesty, (c) lake of accountability, (d) fairness in making decisions, (e) responsibility of ethical leaders, (f) stakeholders’ wellbeing, (g) humility as an abdication of power, and (h) issues of approachability. Implications for social change of this study include fairness to followers, honest leadership, organizational success, and enhanced corporate social responsibility. Positive economic and social change in private and public organizations suffering from unethical leadership could be gained by selecting leaders who are willing to embrace ethical conduct.

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