Responsible leadership
: exploring its characteristics in the German business context

  • Danièle Haist (Student)

Student thesis: Master's Thesis

Abstract

In an era of increasing environmental and social pressures, responsible leadership has become essential. This dissertation examines responsible leadership in Germany, focusing on the traits and practices crucial in today's dynamic business environment. Building on findings from the Center for Responsible Business and Leadership at Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics (2022), this research identifies universal and context-specific elements of responsible leadership. Using a mixed-methods approach, including surveys and semistructured interviews, the study explores the perceived characteristics and responsibilities attributed to responsible leaders in Germany. The results show that there is a strong focus on internal stakeholders, such as employees and customers, while revealing significant gaps in perceived responsibilities toward external stakeholders, like NGOs and government institutions. While this internal focus aligns with ethical and relational leadership theories, it may hinder the broader implementation of responsible leadership, which requires balancing the interests of all stakeholders. Despite theoretical support, practical challenges persist, including the tension between short-term business demands and long-term responsible practices, as well as the persistence of traditional hierarchical structures. The study suggests that to fully implement responsible leadership, German companies must restructure practices, reduce bureaucracy, and align leadership rhetoric with actions. Management should prioritize longterm impacts, maintain authentic leadership, and adapt to the evolving expectations of younger leaders. Future research should explore the integration of external stakeholders, assess longterm outcomes across industries and cultures, and consider potential drawbacks to provide a more balanced perspective.
Date of Award15 Oct 2024
Original languageEnglish
Awarding Institution
  • Universidade Católica Portuguesa
SupervisorNuno Moreira da Cruz (Supervisor)

Keywords

  • Responsible leadership
  • Leadership characteristics
  • Leadership theory
  • Stakeholder management
  • Comparative leadership study
  • Cultural differences in leadership
  • German leadership practices
  • Organizational culture

Designation

  • Mestrado em Gestão e Administração de Empresas (mestrado internacional)

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