Ethical Leadership and Volunteer Commitment in Faith-Based Nonprofit Organizations: A Multiple Case Study from Kenya
Keywords:
Altruistic Motivation, Institutional Stewardship, ; Organizational Behavior, Qualitative Text Analysis, Sub-Saharan Africa, Value-Aligned ManagementAbstract
This study investigated how the ethical leadership dimensions of moral person and moral manager affect the affective, normative, and continuance commitment of volunteers in faith-based non-governmental organizations in Kenya. A qualitative multiple case study design was utilized, focusing on three prominent faith-based non-profit organizations in Nairobi. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and internal document reviews, yielding a combined dataset from 48 primary participants. The qualitative text was systematically processed using structural and thematic coding within Nvivo 14 software, supplemented by quantitative code-frequency analysis and inter-rater reliability metrics. The thematic processing revealed that leaders who consistently model transparent stewardship, equitable resource allocation, and value-aligned decision-making generate high levels of affective and normative commitment. Quantitative distribution metrics showed that explicit moral management behaviors accounted for 42.4% of all leadership-related coding units, demonstrating a strong link to volunteer retention. Conversely, inconsistencies between stated spiritual values and managerial actions directly led to volunteer attrition. Ethical leadership within faith-based organizations functions as a primary driver of volunteer retention by creating high socio-emotional benefits that offset the lack of material compensation. Organizations must implement structured ethical accountability frameworks and leadership development programs to maintain volunteer engagement and secure operational stability.
References
Agyemang, F., & Osei, J. (2021). Leadership ethics in faith-based organizations: Navigating spiritual values and managerial demands in developing economies. Journal of Business Ethics in Africa, 8(2), 112–129. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-021-04782-x
Alatrista, J., & Arrowsmith, J. (2019). Managing the psychological contract of volunteers in non-profit organizations. International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 30(3), 540–555. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11266-018-00063-w
Allen, N. J., & Meyer, J. P. (1990). The measurement and antecedents of affective, normative and continuance commitment to the organization. Journal of Occupational Psychology, 63(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2044-8325.1990.tb00506.x
Bedi, A., Alpaslan, C. M., & Green, S. (2016). A Meta-Analytic Review of Ethical Leadership Outcomes. Journal of Business Ethics, 137(3), 517–536. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-015-2625-1
Blau, P. M. (1964). Exchange and Power in Social Life. John Wiley & Sons.
Brown, M. E., Treviño, L. K., & Harrison, D. A. (2005). Ethical leadership: A social learning perspective for construct development and testing. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 97(2), 117–134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.obhdp.2005.03.002
Cropanzano, R., & Mitchell, M. S. (2005). Social Exchange Theory: An Interdisciplinary Review. Journal of Management, 31(6), 874–900. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206305279602
Dicke, C., Dowling, M., & Tuan, S. (2020). Nurturing volunteer commitment through ethical climates and structural empowerment. Nonprofit Management and Leadership, 31(2), 245–267. https://doi.org/10.1002/nml.21432
Engelbrecht, A. S., Heine, G., & Mahembe, B. (2017). The influence of ethical leadership on trust and organizational citizenship behaviour in South African organizations. South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences, 20(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajems.v20i1.1365
Mbithi, M. M., Munjuri, M. G., & Ogutu, M. (2020). Leadership styles, organizational culture, and performance of faith-based non-governmental organizations in Kenya. DBA Africa Management Review, 10(3), 45–61. https://doi.org/10.4102/dbamr.v10i3.234
Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldaña, J. (2014). Qualitative Data Analysis: A Methods Sourcebook (3rd ed.). Sage Publications.
Muriithi, F. W., Ngirande, H., & Ndlovu, W. (2021). Ethical Leadership and Follower Dedication in East African faith-based institutions: The moderating role of spiritual orientation. African Journal of Employee Relations, 45(1), 78–99. https://doi.org/10.25159/2520-3223/8412
Treviño, L. K., Brown, M., & Hartman, L. P. (2003). A qualitative Investigation of Perceived Executive Ethical leadership: Perceptions from Inside and Outside the Executive Suite. Human Relations, 56(1), 5–37. https://doi.org/10.1177/0018726703056001448
Yin, R. K. (2018). Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods (6th ed.). Sage Publications.
