Ethical leadership in education and its relation to ethical decision-making: The case of Arab school leaders in Israel

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate ethical leadership in the context of the Arab educational system in Israel. It questions the relations of ethical leadership dimensions with decision making as well as background characteristics of the educational leaders.

Design/methodology/approach

Arab educational leaders (n=150) from diverse Arab schools responded to valid research tool of 40 items constructed of six subscales: three ethical leadership dimensions (critique, justice and care) and three leadership work aspects (ethical sensitivity, climate and decision making). Averages were calculated for each subscale.

Findings

Significant relations were found among ethical leadership dimensions and decision making, the leaders’ school type and their seniority.

Research limitations/implications

This study is based on research in diverse countries, using a common conceptual frame. Its limitation is the sample’s narrow scope.

Practical implications

The study results may inform the developing ethical qualities in educational leadership.

Originality/value

The authors recommend widening the scope of the sample examined to further clarify the concept of ethical leadership and its implications to the practice of educational leadership.

Citation

Arar, K., Haj, I., Abramovitz, R. and Oplatka, I. (2016), "Ethical leadership in education and its relation to ethical decision-making: The case of Arab school leaders in Israel", Journal of Educational Administration, Vol. 54 No. 6, pp. 647-660. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEA-11-2015-0101