Title: Virtuous leaders and virtuous organisations: healthcare and higher education

Authors: Valerie A. Storey, Malcolm O. Asadoorian III, Thomas E. Beeman

Addresses: Ross College of Education, Lynn University, 3601 North Military Trail, Boca Raton, FL 33441-5598, USA. ' Center for Interdisciplinary Programs, College of Arts & Sciences, Lynn University, 3601 North Military Trail, Boca Raton, FL 33441-559, USA. ' 555 North Duke Street, P.O. Box 3555, Lancaster, PA 17604-3555, USA

Abstract: This paper focuses on the nature of virtuous leadership and the relationship to a virtuous organisation in two service professions in one county community. Specifically, we examine whether the virtuousness of service organisations (healthcare and higher education) derives directly from its executive management team. We selected education and healthcare leaders due to a perceived similarity in both education, complexity, governance as well as a higher degree of specialisation in their fields. Thirty three hospital and educational leaders were surveyed in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and statistical results indicate significant gender differences regarding observable indicators of virtuousness. In addition, those earning more income appear to view organisations as being less virtuous such that it is not so observable through language, strategy, or behaviour.

Keywords: leadership; higher education; virtues; universities; virtuous leaders; virtuous organisations; service professions; management teams; executive management; complexity; governance; specialisation; hospitals; Lancaster; Pennsylvania; USA; United States; gender differences; observable indicators; earnings; incomes; language; strategies; behaviour; behavioural research; healthcare research.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBHR.2011.041046

International Journal of Behavioural and Healthcare Research, 2011 Vol.2 No.3, pp.231 - 246

Published online: 30 Sep 2014 *

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