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Promoting Stewardship Behavior in Organizations: A Leadership Model

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Abstract

This article explores the relational and motivational leadership behaviors that may promote stewardship in organizations. I conceptualize stewardship as an outcome of leadership behaviors that promote a sense of personal responsibility in followers for the long-term wellbeing of the organization and society. Building upon the themes presented in the stewardship literature, such as identification and intrinsic motivation, and drawing from other research streams to include factors such as interpersonal and institutional trust and moral courage, I posit that leaders foster stewardship in their followers through various relational, motivational, and contextually supportive leadership behaviors.

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  1. Fuqua School of Business, Duke University, 1 Towerview Drive Box 90120, 27708, Durham, NC, U.S.A.

    Morela Hernandez

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  1. Morela Hernandez
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Correspondence to Morela Hernandez.

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Hernandez, M. Promoting Stewardship Behavior in Organizations: A Leadership Model. J Bus Ethics 80, 121–128 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-007-9440-2

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