The effect of ethical leadership on mobbing behaviors encountered by employees in organization: Clarifying the mediating role of leader-member exchange and organizational silence

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Department of Human Resource Management, Faculty of Management, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Department of Human Resource Management, Faculty of Management, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran

3 MSc in Public Administration, Faculty of Management, Kharazmi University Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: The present study aimed to examine the effect of ethical leadership confrontation with mobbing behaviors, considering the mediating role of leader-member exchange and nurses’ organizational silence.

Method: This applied study employed a quantitative, descriptive-correlational research design. The statistical population included 779 nurses (all nurses at Loghman Hakim Hospital in Tehran), from which a sample of 257 participants was selected. Standardized questionnaires were used to collect data. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive and inferential statistics, with SPSS and Smart PLS software employed for the analyses.

Findings: The study revealed that ethical leadership, through the mediating role of leader-member exchange and organizational silence, has a significant negative effect on employees’ exposure to mobbing behaviors. Ethical leadership was positively associated with leader-member exchange, but negatively and significantly related to organizational silence and mobbing. Additionally, organizational silence was positively correlated with mobbing behaviors, whereas leader-member exchange showed a significant negative relationship with mobbing.

Conclusion: The findings indicated that ethical leadership and the quality of leader-member exchanges are effective in reducing mobbing in healthcare organizations. Ethical managerial behavior also decreases nurses’ organizational silence. Conversely, organizational silence among nurses can contribute to an increase in mobbing in such organizations.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Organizational Culture Management

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 25 February 2026

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