ETHICAL LEADERSHIP AND EMPLOYEE TRUST IN INDIAN PRIVATE‑SECTOR BANKS: A STUDY OF BRANCH MANAGERS IN AMRAVATI, MAHARASHTRA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64751/Keywords:
Ethical leadership, employee trust, private‑sector banks, branch managers, Amravati, Maharashtra, workplace ethics.Abstract
Ethical leadership is a key driver of employee trust and organisational climate in the banking sector. This study focuses specifically on branch managers of private‑sector banks in Amravati, Maharashtra, examining how their ethical leadership behaviours influence employee trust, job satisfaction, and organisational commitment. Data were collected from 80 employees and 15 branch managers across major private‑sector banks operating in Amravati city. A structured questionnaire adapted from established ethical‑leadership and trust scales was used. Results show a strong positive relationship between perceived ethical leadership of branch managers and employee trust in supervisors and the organisation. The study concludes that strengthening ethical leadership at the branch level can enhance internal trust and should be integrated into management‑training systems in private banks in Amravati and similar semi‑urban centres.
