This study examines the impact of ethical leadership on employee motivation for sustainable practices in Angola’s mining sector, a critical industry facing environmental and social challenges. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected, with the collection being extended, and 120 employees answered in various mining companies through validated instruments: the Ethical Leadership Scale (QLE), the Multidimensional Work Motivation Scale (MWMS), and the Sustainable Behavior Scale (ECOS).
Statistical analyses, including linear regressions and Pearson correlations, revealed that ethical leadership—characterized by transparency, fairness, and integrity—significantly fosters intrinsic motivation among employees, thereby encouraging the adoption of sustainable behaviors. The results highlight that ethical leadership acts as a key mediator between sustainability perception and employee engagement in responsible practices. Employees perceiving higher levels of ethical leadership demonstrated stronger intrinsic motivation to integrate sustainability into their daily operations.
This study’s findings have important practical implications for the mining sector. Companies are urged to embed sustainability as a core organizational value and prioritize investment in ethical leadership training programs. Ethical leadership emerges not only as a driver of sustainable business practices but also as a catalyst for strengthening corporate social responsibility initiatives, ultimately enhancing organizational performance and contributing to the socio-economic development of local communities.
Given Angola’s heavy dependence on extractive industries and persistent governance challenges, fostering ethical leadership is crucial for aligning mining operations with international sustainability standards. Future research should extend the investigation through qualitative methods to capture deeper cultural and organizational nuances affecting leadership dynamics and sustainability outcomes.
Overall, this study contributes to the growing body of knowledge demonstrating that ethical leadership is essential for promoting sustainability in resource-dependent economies, providing actionable insights for both practitioners and policymakers seeking to balance economic growth with social and environmental stewardship.
