Ethical Leadership in Times of Global Challenges: New Insights from Markus Scholz, Craig Smith, Maria Riegler, and Anna M. Burton

In the face of today’s complex global challenges, ethical leadership is playing an increasingly important role in helping companies balance societal well-being with profitability. A recent article by INSEAD Knowledge provides an insightful summary of the research conducted by Markus Scholz and his co-authors Craig Smith, Maria Riegler, and Anna M. Burton on this critical topic.

Research Highlights: What Motivates Companies to Act Responsibly?

The research, published in Business & Society and the MIT Sloan Management Review, examines the motivations and frameworks that drive companies to act in socially responsible ways—even under intense pressure. It highlights the essential principles of ethical leadership and how they influence organizational behavior across various industries. The studies emphasize the importance of leaders who prioritize not only profit but also the broader societal impact of their decisions, especially in fields like social media and artificial intelligence, where ethical considerations are particularly significant.

In the Business & Society article, the authors explore how organizational norms and leadership values shape responsible decision-making. Meanwhile, the MIT Sloan Management Review article discusses practical strategies that leaders can adopt to foster a culture of accountability and positive change within their industries. Both articles provide key insights into why companies choose to act responsibly and how they can positively impact society.

Access to the Research

For those interested, the original studies are available for free for a limited time:

• Business & Society: Read the article
• MIT Sloan Management Review: Read the article

We thank INSEAD Knowledge for summarizing this important work and invite our readers to explore the full articles to understand how ethical leadership can help shape a more responsible corporate world.