Effects of ethical leadership on bullying and voice behavior among nurses Mediating role of organizational identification, poor working condition and workload

Purpose This study aims to investigate the effects of ethical leadership on employee's bullying and voice behavior, considering poor working conditions, organizational identification and workload as mediating variables. Design/methodology/approach Questionnaire survey design was used to elicit responses of 564 nurses from hospitals located in various cities of Pakistan. Findings Analysis through structural equation modeling proved that ethical leadership has a positive and significant impact on both organizational identification and voice behavior, but a negative and significant impact on workload, poor working conditions and bullying at the workplace. Furthermore, organizational identification, poor working conditions and workload proved to be partial mediators. Originality/value The study adds value to the limited literature on ethical leadership, bullying and voice behavior in nursing. Additionally, organizational identification, workload and poor working conditions have not previously been examined as mediators.