Practical wisdom of Confucian ethical leadership: a critical inquiry

Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims to examine whether and to what extent the practical wisdom contained in classical Confucianism can provide conceptual and ethical resources for ethical leadership for Chinese companies in the twenty‐first century. The objectives of the paper are: to reconstruct the core elements of Confucianism; to account some major issues confronting corporate China; to identify the attributes of the Confucian ethical leadership through those of Junzi against such a backdrop; to identify some major challenges for Junzi leadership in today's business environment in China; and to consider some implications of this analysis for management development and management education.Design/methodology/approachThe paper adopts a normative analysis.FindingsA critical articulation of the concept of ethical leadership based on the Confucian notion of Junzi is presented, and the concept is examined against the context of problems confronting business in China. The challenges for Confucian ethical leadership are identified in the conclusion.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper presents a critical reference for managers who adopt or intend to adopt Confucian ideas in management.Social implicationsThe paper provides a critical reference for those in society who assume leadership positions to learn about Chinese ethical leadership.Originality/valueFew works in the literature have made the connection between Confucian ethical leadership and the Chinese corporate context with a critical approach and rigorous analysis to help reveal the inherent challenges.

The Effect of Ethical Leadership on Subjective Wellbeing, Given the Moderator Job Satisfaction (A Case Study of Private Hospitals in Mashhad)

“…From a social learning perspective, ethical leaders consider as role models shaping appropriate behaviors and norms in an organization [24]. Ethical leadership in this point of view de ned as the a rmation and promotion of normatively appropriate behavior to followers throughout personal and interpersonal context by two-way communication, reinforcement and decision-making [11,23,24,25].…”

“…They should integrate ethical leadership into the core values and visions of the rm, as well as the basic norms of the business. As well as establishing, endorsing and communicating the value and meaning of ethical leadership throughout the rm, directors and top managements themselves should be actively engaged in meaning-making and practices of good ethical leadership and should also show a good ethical management skill in general [11]. Achieving a state of inner wellbeing is among the ultimate purposes of human life, which is also sought in career and professional life [12].…”

The Effect of Ethical Leadership on Subjective Wellbeing, Given the Moderator Job Satisfaction (A Case Study of Private Hospitals in Mashhad)

“…From a social learning perspective, ethical leaders are considered as role models shaping appropriate behaviors and norms in an organization [6]. Ethical leadership in this point of view is de ned as the a rmation and promotion of normatively appropriate behavior to followers throughout personal and interpersonal context by two-way communication, reinforcement and decision-making [6,7,8,9]. This leadership style can be conceived in more concrete terms by a triple behavioral dimension: the rst key feature is leader's 'fairness,' described as being fair, trustworthy and honest.…”

The Effect of Ethical Leadership on Subjective Wellbeing, Given the Moderator Job Satisfaction (A Case Study of Private Hospitals in Mashhad)

“…They should integrate ethical leadership into the core values and visions of the firm, as well as the basic norms of the business. As well as establishing, endorsing and communicating the value and meaning of ethical leadership throughout the firm, directors and top managements themselves should be actively engaged in meaning-making and practices of good ethical leadership and should also show a good ethical management skill in general [11]. Achieving a state of inner wellbeing is among the ultimate purposes of human life, which is also sought in career and professional life [12].…”