Clarifying the mediating effect of ethical climate on the relationship between ethical leadership and workplace bullying

Abstract

ABSTRACT The purpose of this research is to examine ethical climate as a mediator iin the relationship between ethical leadership and workplace bullying. An online questionnaire was answered by 223 Portuguese employees, who had worked for at least 6 consecutive months at the same organization. Results support the mediating role of ethical climate on the relationship between ethical leadership and bullying at work, suggesting that ethical leaders can contribute to the minimization of bullying through their impact on ethical climate and employees’ behavior. Drawing on the social learning theory and the social information processing theory, this study clarifies the mediating role of ethical climate.