4.4.4 The Ethical Leadership Style Questionnaire
The Ethical Leadership Situations Questionnaire (ELSQ) is designed to evaluate how leaders approach ethical situations and decision-making in their role as leaders. Unlike common instruments that measure ethical leadership based on observable behaviors, the ELSQ delves into leaders’ thought processes, strategies, and approaches when faced with ethical dilemmas.
Description
The instrument was developed by Northouse (2021) and was adapted from studies by Baehrend, (2016) and Chikeleze (2014). It uses 45 questions to examine how a leader approaches ethical dilemmas and to assess six ethical styles: duty ethics, utilitarianism ethics, virtue ethics, caring ethics, egoism ethics, and justice ethics.
The instrument has not been tested, indicating a limitation in terms of its current validity and reliability. Future studies need to validate the instrument before conclusive insights can be drawn from its results.
Access
The ELSQ 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.
References
Baehrend, W. R., Jr. (2016). Refinement of the Ethical Leadership Style Questionnaire (Publication No. 10255065) [Doctoral Dissertation, Benedictine University]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses. https://www.proquest.com/openview/b9ae90e11ceecc920dc749f48789488f/1
Chikeleze, M. C. (2014). Validation of the Ethical Leadership Style Questionnaire (ELSQ) [Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Benedictine University].
Chikeleze, M. C., & Baehrend, W. R., Jr. (2017). Ethical leadership style and its impact on decision-making. Journal of Leadership Studies, 11(2), 45–47. https://doi.org/10.1002/jls.21523
Northouse, P. G. (2021). Leadership: Theory and practice (9th ed.). Sage Publications.
