The Mediating Role of Leadership Style in Organisational Ethics and Workplace Incivility: Empirical Evidence from MTN Ghana

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine relationships between leadership style, organisational ethics and workplace incivility amongst telecommunication workers in MTN Ghana. Specifically, the study explored the relationship between organisational ethics and workplace incivility. Also, the mediating effect of leadership style between organisational ethics and workplace incivility was assessed. Methodologically, the study was quantitative in nature. Using a cross-sectional survey design, data was collected from employees of MTN Ghana in Accra by means of a structured questionnaire. A sample of 209 respondents were conveniently drawn for the study. Results from structured equation model (SEM) analysis indicated that organisational ethics was significantly and positively related to workplace incivility. The study found that transformational leadership style did not mediate the relationship between organisational ethics and employee workplace incivility. However, transactional leadership partially mediated the relationship between organisational ethics and workplace incivility. It is recommended that management emphasize transactional leadership behaviours such as motivating workers through the use of rewards and also putting in place fair and appropriate measures in ensuring discipline among workers. This potentially could engender appropriate conduct among employees which may lower workplace incivility in the company.