An Integrative Ethical Approach to Leader Favoritism
Yang, I.; Horak, S. & Kakabadse, N.K. (2021). An Integrative Ethical Approach to
Leader Favoritism. Business Ethics: A European Review, 30(1), 90-101. DOI:
10.1111/beer.12309
Link:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/beer.12309
Abstract
Relationship building is one of the most important aspects of leadership;
however, it can pose ethical challenges. Though particularistic treatment of
employees by leaders, that is, leader favoritism, commonly occurs, it is
conventionally regarded negatively as fairness norms require leaders to treat
followers equally. In this conceptual study, we explore different views on
leader favoritism based on different ethical principles. We develop an
alternative to the conventional view and suggest that leader favoritism may not
necessarily lead to negative outcomes when empathy‐based favoritism is applied.
In this vein, we recommend drawing on the ethical principles of a utilitarian
approach by balancing particularism and universalism, which is also helpful to
build organizational social capital. We contribute to leadership theory by
developing an early concept of an integrative ethical approach to leader
favoritism.
Keywords
Favoritism, ethics, leadership, leader–member exchange (LMX), fairness
monitoring, organizational social capital, utilitarianism.