4.4.1 Ethical Leadership at Work (ELW) Questionnaire
Purpose
The Ethical Leadership at Work (ELW) questionnaire is designed to measure ethical leader behaviors specifically in the workplace, as leaders are typically responsible for guiding and influencing others, making ethical decisions, and fostering an ethical work environment. It aims to assess seven dimensions of ethical leadership: fairness, integrity, ethical guidance, people orientation, power sharing, role clarification, and concern for sustainability. The instrument’s goal is to contribute to a better understanding of the antecedents and consequences of ethical leadership behaviors within organizational settings (Kalshoven et al., 2011).
The ELW questionnaire is typically administered to both leaders and followers within an organization. Organizations may use the data to design targeted training programs, establish ethical leadership development initiatives, enhance ethical decision-making processes, or promote a culture of integrity and fairness in the workplace.
Description
The ELW questionnaire was developed in 2011 by Kalshoven, Den Hartog, and De Hoogh. The German version of the questionnaire was validated in 2016 by Steinmann, Nubold, and Maier. The 38-item questionnaire has been tested in multiple studies. The original development and validation involved interviews and student samples. The subsequent studies involved employee samples. Refer to the original articles for detailed information on the sample sizes and testing procedures. The limitations of the ELW questionnaire may include potential biases in self-reported data, variations in interpretations of ethical behaviors, and the context-specific nature of ethical leadership perceptions.
Access
The ELW may be accessible via academic journals and research databases, including in the relevant articles listed in the references section. Prior to usage, permission from the authors or copyright holders may be necessary. Contact the authors directly or consult the articles for more information on the availability and permissions.
Reference
Kalshoven, K., Den Hartog, D. N., & De Hoogh, A. H. (2011). Ethical Leadership at Work questionnaire (ELW): Development and validation of a multidimensional measure. The Leadership Quarterly, 22(1), 51-69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2010.12.007
Steinmann, B., Nübold, A., & Maier, G. W. (2016). Validation of a German version of the Ethical Leadership at Work questionnaire by Kalshoven et al. (2011). Frontiers in Psychology, 7, article 446. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00446
