Ethics as the foundation of engaged citizenship

Abstract

This article explores the relationship between ethics and organizational citizenship within contemporary enterprises, combining a thorough theoretical analysis of the literature with empirical insights from a field study. It highlights the central role of ethics, grounded in values such as fairness, justice, and collective well-being, in fostering voluntary and responsible behaviors among employees. Results from a structured questionnaire administered to a diverse sample indicate that the perception of ethical values strongly influences organizational trust and employee engagement, which in turn promote organizational citizenship behaviors such as altruism, loyalty, courtesy, and proactive participation in organizational life. The study also shows that trust and engagement act as key mediating mechanisms, translating ethical principles into concrete actions, and that the effectiveness of ethics depends on a supportive organizational environment capable of recognizing contributions and sustaining long-term engagement. These findings confirm that embedding ethical principles into organizational culture is a major determinant for promoting citizenship behaviors, enhancing cohesion, collective performance, and organizational resilience. Ultimately, the article demonstrates that organizational citizenship, when anchored in a strong ethical framework, represents both a conceptual ideal and a practical lever for achieving sustainable performance and collective well-being, offering an original contribution to understanding ethical and organizational dynamics.

Keywords : Keywords: ethics ; citizenship ; organizational citizenship ; organization

Classification JEL : O15

Paper type : Theorical Research