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Benevolent Leadership: Conceptualization and Construct Development

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Abstract

This research examines benevolent leadership and makes three key contributions to organizational research. The first contribution is a theoretical one; the development of a theory-grounded conceptual model of benevolent leadership based on four streams of creating common good in organizations: morality, spirituality, vitality, and community. The second contribution is the development of an instrument (Benevolent Leadership Scale) to measure the construct of benevolent leadership. This scale is composed of four dimensions: Ethical Sensitivity, Spiritual Depth, Positive Engagement, and Community Responsiveness. The third contribution is of empirical nature: the exploration of potential outcomes of benevolent leadership in organizations, affective commitment, and organizational citizenship behavior.

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Correspondence to Fahri Karakas.

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Karakas, F., Sarigollu, E. Benevolent Leadership: Conceptualization and Construct Development. J Bus Ethics 108, 537–553 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-011-1109-1

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