How ethical leadership influence employee creativity: A parallel multiple mediation model

The purpose of this research is to investigate the relationships between ethical leadership, affective commitment, work engagement, and employees’ creativity. Data were obtained from 233 Chinese public sector employees in three separate waves. By using structural equation modeling, we found positive and significant association between ethical leadership and employee creativity. Additionally, we found evidence of parallel mediation, where affective commitment and work engagement mediate the relationship between ethical leadership and employee creativity. To be precise, we found that ethical leadership influences affective commitment and work engagement which subsequently induces followers to exhibit creativity in their work. The findings of this study reveal that both affective commitment and work engagement play a pivotal role through which ethical leaders can enhance their followers’ creative behaviors.