This literature review concerning the topic of ethical and unethical behavior in college deans and directors addresses the following areas relevant to this study: ethical leadership; the practice of ethics; expectations of dean leadership; legal consequences of unethical dean leadership; issues faced by deans; job stress; and conclusion.
Ethical leadership has been examined from multiple perspectives. For example, ethical leadership may be viewed as a function of leader character or it may be viewed as a function of organizational structure or system. The view that ethical leadership is based on leader character proposes that the ethical leader must apply ethical standards and the degree that ethical standards are neglected or applied is a function of the leader's individual personality characteristics and moral standards (Jones, 1995). Jones stated that to guarantee ethical leadership a leader must be chosen according to their high moral standards. The personality characteristics of an ethical leader include self-control, purposefulness, mindfulness, and a regard for consequences. The ethical leader increases ethical awareness and accountability in an organization. In theory, the ethical leader would have high moral standards that would reign regardless of organizational structure. However, even the most moral and ethical individual may be faced with conflicting demands that challenge their standards.
Calabrese and Roberts (2002) provided a more recent view of this stance and stated that character is the core of ethical leadership. The leader with a virtuous character will provide ethical leadership to their school and community and the leader with character flaws will provide unethical leadership, which will harm the school and community. According to Calabrese and Roberts, this character development includes behavioral change and knowledge acquisition. The leader with character must be open to new developments a...