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An Analytic Essay of the article, “Moderating Diversity, Collective Commitment, and

Discrimination: The Role of Ethical Leaders in the Public Sector.”

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An Analytic Essay of the article, “Moderating Diversity, Collective Commitment, and

Discrimination: The Role of Ethical Leaders in the Public Sector.”

Abstract

“Moderating Diversity, Collective Commitment, and Discrimination: The Role of Ethical

Leaders in the Public Sector. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory,” an

article by Moon and Christensen (2022), provides a critical analysis and review of the

moderating role ethical leaders play in public sector organizations regarding diversity,

collective commitment, and discrimination. The article reviews the literature on ethical

leadership and its relationship to organizational outcomes. The authors then present their

empirical study, which looks at the moderating role ethical leaders play in public sector

organizations in the United States. The study found that ethical leaders play a significant

moderating role in public sector organizations regarding diversity, collective commitment,

and discrimination. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications of the findings

and future research directions. This paper is a review essay intended to provide a summary,

critically analyze, and provide recommendations based on the scope of Moon and

Christensen’s article.
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Introduction

The public sector has recently faced increased pressure to become more diverse. In

response, many organizations have implemented policies and practices promoting diversity.

However, research has shown that these efforts often fail to produce the intended results. One

reason is that diversity can lead to conflict and tension within organizations. This claim is

especially true in the public sector, where organizations are often tasked with serving various

stakeholders with conflicting interests. Another reason is that public sector organizations are

often bureaucratic and hierarchical, making it difficult for employees to feel like they have a

voice. This situation can lead to frustration and resentment, which can, in turn, lead to

discrimination against minority groups. The article examines the role of ethical leaders in

promoting diversity in the public sector. The authors argue that ethical leaders are essential in

promoting diversity because they can help to create a climate of trust and respect. They also

argue that ethical leaders can help to moderate the conflict that often arises from diversity.

The article is based on a study of public sector organizations in Denmark. The authors used a

qualitative research design, which included interviews with managers and employees. The

study’s findings suggest that ethical leaders are vital in promoting diversity in the public

sector. The authors suggest that public sector organizations should consider the importance of

ethical leadership when developing policies and practices aimed at promoting diversity.

Summary

The article by Moon & Christensen (2022) explores the role of ethical leaders in the

public sector and how they can help to moderate diversity, collective commitment, and

discrimination. The authors first discuss the concept of ethical leadership and how it can be

defined in the public sector. They note that ethical leadership has been associated with many

positive outcomes, including increased job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and trust

in leaders. The authors then go on to discuss how ethical leaders can help to moderate
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diversity, collective commitment, and discrimination in the workplace. They note that ethical

leaders are likelier to create an inclusive environment where all employees feel valued and

respected. Ethical leaders can create a climate of trust and respect within organizations,

leading to increased employee commitment and reduced discriminatory behaviors (Moon &

Christensen, 2022). Such inputs by ethical leaders lead to desirable organizational outcomes.

Leadership traits determine a leader’s input toward organizational success. Ethical

leaders are exemplified by desirable traits in an organization and therefore contribute to

organizational success in several ways. “The personal traits of ethical leaders are integrity,

honesty, trust, respect, and the ability to listen” (Moon & Christensen, 2022, p. 383). Such

traits determine a leader’s input in an organization’s course. The ethical leadership style is

similar to other leadership styles but with an improved sense of employee ethics and

principles.

Ethical leaders are associated with moral and ethical behaviors that boost the

employees’ morale in organizations and improve their job performance. The authors note that

ethical leaders play a critical role in the public sector and offer several recommendations for

how public sector organizations can foster ethical leadership. They regard “ethical leadership

as a critical determinant of organizational outcomes in the field of public administration”

(Moon & Christensen, 2022, p. 383). Generally, the article is also based on the idea that

ethical leaders are more likely to be effective at promoting organizational change and

ensuring that employees can participate in decision-making. Additionally, ethical leaders are

more likely to be effective at building team cohesion and commitment and less likely to

tolerate discrimination in the workplace.

Critical Analysis

The study has several strengths. First, using a qualitative research design allows the

authors to collect in-depth data from a small sample of public sector leaders. Second, the
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authors use a theoretical framework to guide their analysis and interpretation of the data. This

framework helps to ensure that the findings are grounded in theory and have implications for

future research. The authors provide a comprehensive review of the literature on ethical

leadership and identify three key mechanisms through which ethical leaders can moderate

diversity and discrimination. The empirical evidence from the survey of public sector

employees provides strong support for the authors’ arguments.

Overall, the study by Moon and Christensen (2022) makes a valuable contribution to

our understanding of the role of ethical leaders in promoting diversity. However, there are

also some limitations to the study. First, the sample is not representative of the entire

population of public sector leaders. Second, the study relies heavily on self-reported data,

which may be subject to biases. Third, the study does not include a control group, making it

difficult to determine the causal effect of ethical leadership on diversity and inclusion.

The authors of this article, Moon and Christensen, both have extensive experience in

the field of public administration and have written numerous other articles on the topic. They

are scholars in the field of public administration and leadership. They have both published

extensively on ethical leadership in the public sector. Their research is based on a study of

public sector organizations in the United States and Canada. In this particular article, they

explore the role of ethical leaders in moderating diversity, collective commitment, and

discrimination in the public sector.

Conclusion

The article, “Moderating Diversity, Collective Commitment, and Discrimination: The

Role of Ethical Leaders in the Public Sector. Journal of Public Administration Research and

Theory,” an article by Moon and Christensen (2022), examines the role of ethical leaders in

the public sector in promoting diversity and collective commitment while mitigating

discrimination. The study found that ethical leaders play a critical role in organizational
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change and development by promoting values of inclusion, respect, and cooperation. These

values help create a climate in which all employees can feel valued and respected and work

together to achieve common goals. The study provides evidence that ethical leadership is an

important ingredient in the success of public organizations. The article’s authors use their

extensive knowledge and interent in the public administration and leadership topic. The

authors provide convincing evidence that ethical leaders can help to moderate diversity,

collective commitment, and discrimination in public organizations. The article, like others,

has strengths and a few weaknesses. Overall, the article provides a well-argued case for the

importance of ethical leaders in the public sector. The article is well-written and provides a

valuable perspective on the role of ethical leaders in the public sector.

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Reference

Moon, K. K., & Christensen, R. K. (2022). Moderating Diversity, Collective Commitment,

and Discrimination: The Role of Ethical Leaders in the Public Sector. Journal of

Public Administration Research and Theory, 32(2), 380-397.

https://doi.org/10.1093/jopart/muab035