From managerialism to toxic leadership: the moderating effect of ethical climate in the healthcare sector

Bulutlar, F. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2400-2855, Kamasak, R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8768-3569, Palalar Alkan, D. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2204-7024 and Ozbilgin, M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8672-9534 (2025) From managerialism to toxic leadership: the moderating effect of ethical climate in the healthcare sector. Journal of Management & Organization, 31 (3). pp. 1557-1579. ISSN 1839-3527 doi: 10.1017/jmo.2024.12

Abstract/Summary

A hegemonic neoliberal ideology dominates all areas of work in Turkey, including healthcare. Though neoliberalism has been studied extensively from the perspective of meaning, values, and processes, managerial and leadership behavior dynamics require further research. This study analyzes the relationship between managerialism, toxic leadership, and ethical climate in an industry swept up by untamed neoliberalism, particularly in a nation where employment and human rights are ceremoniously protected. Through an analysis of medical doctors working in 207 public and private university hospitals in Turkey, we explored the role of managerialism and four distinct ethical climate types, resulting in the emergence of toxic leadership behaviors during the global pandemic. We theorize the extent to which toxic leaders emerge from managerialism. We further explain why the hegemonic Turkish leadership culture thrives in toxic behaviors such as paternalism, fealty, ingratiation, nepotism, and cronyism in the context of neoliberal expansion.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://centaur.reading.ac.uk/id/eprint/124007
Identification Number/DOI	10.1017/jmo.2024.12
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Henley Business School > Leadership, Organisations, Behaviour and Reputation
Publisher	Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Download/View statistics	View download statistics for this item