Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.5559/di.di.34.4.01

How do Ethical Leaders Promote Employees' Feedback-Seeking Behaviours? A Serial Mediation Model

Wasim Ul Rehman orcid.org/0000-0002-9927-2780 ; University of the Punjab, Gujranwala Campus, Pakistan *
Mustafa Bekmezci orcid.org/0000-0002-1206-690X ; National Defence University, Ankara, Türkiye
Lütfi Sürücü ; World Peace University, Ankara, Türkiye
Kamran Ali ; University of the Punjab, Gujranwala Campus, Pakistan
Anam Mustansar ; University of the Punjab, Gujranwala Campus, Pakistan

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

This study explores how ethical leadership fosters employees'
feedback-seeking behaviours. Drawing on Self-Determination
Theory, the research identifies intrinsic motivation and affective
commitment as key mediators through which ethical leaders
encourage proactive feedback-seeking. The findings reveal that
ethical leadership positively influences employees' intrinsic
motivation and affective commitment to the organisation, which
in turn enhances their tendency to feedback – an essential
behaviour in dynamic and quality-sensitive work environments
such as manufacturing. To empirically test this model, a crosssectional
survey was conducted among 422 employees at a
large manufacturing plant in Manisa, Türkiye. The results
support a serial mediation model, confirming that ethical
leadership indirectly promotes feedback-seeking behaviours
through increased intrinsic motivation and affective commitment.

Keywords

ethical leadership; intrinsic motivation; affective commitment; feedback-seeking behaviour

Hrčak ID:

343752

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/343752

Publication date:

4.1.2026.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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