Ethical leadership practice in education: A significant systematic review.

Abstract

This systematic literature review explores the significance of ethical leadership practices in the context of education. The introduction provides an overview of the importance of ethical leadership within educational settings. However, these leaders contend with complex moral dilemmas, navigating the delicate balance between adhering to laws and potentially disobeying some, which could result in a competitive disadvantage. This study employed the PRISMA methodology, conducting a systematic search across academic databases, specifically Scopus and the Web of Science, resulting in a comprehensive selection of studies, reviews, and articles pertaining to ethical leadership in educational contexts. By utilizing an advanced search strategy involving keywords such as 'ethical leadership,' 'ethical management,' and 'education,' the analysis revealed the pivotal role played by ethical leadership in educational settings and organizations, contributing to higher-quality leadership. The final dataset consisted of 35 items, with the review identifying key themes that were subsequently validated by experts and categorized into three distinct themes: (1) the impact of ethical leadership on workplace behavior, (2) ethical leadership within educational contexts, and (3) ethical leadership across diverse industries and sectors. In conclusion, ethical leadership stands as a foundational element of responsible and effective leadership within the contemporary educational system.