E-ethical leadership for virtual project teams

This paper presents a review of current literature on ethical theories as they relate to ethical leadership in the virtual business environment (e-ethics) and virtual project leadership. Ethical theories are reviewed in relation to virtual project management, such as participative management, Theory Y, and its relationship to utilitarianism; Kantian ethics, motivation, and trust; communitarian ethics, ethic of care and egalitarianism; Stakeholder Theory; and the use of political tactics. Challenges to e-ethical leadership are presented and responses to these issues discussed. The conclusion presents four propositions for future research. The purpose of this paper is to identify secondary literature on e-ethics and how this new area of business ethics may affect the leaders of virtual project teams. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd and IPMA. All rights reserved.