Fostering Ethical Leadership and Moral Integrity in Chinese Vocational Colleges: A Qualitative Study from Chongqing
Fostering Ethical Leadership and Moral Integrity in Chinese Vocational Colleges: A Qualitative Study from Chongqing

Summary/Abstract: Background/purpose. Ethical leadership and moral integrity researches have predominantly focused on Western, low power distance cultures, with limited attention to its expression in collectivist, high power distance contexts like China. This study explores the specific manifestations of ethical leadership and moral integrity among vocational college lecturers in Chongqing. Materials/methods. Using a qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with two groups: 30 exemplary lecturers and 5 senior experts in vocational education. Participants were selected through purposive and stratified sampling. Results. The findings reveal ten core manifestations of ethical leadership and moral integrity, including three novel themes: (1) culturally adaptive ethical behaviors, (2) collectivist influences on moral responsibility, and (3) collective motivation in upholding academic ethics. Conclusion. These insights highlight how ethical leadership and moral integrity are shaped by local cultural norms and provide a contextualized understanding relevant to policy and practice in vocational education.

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