Leadership Styles and the Moral Choice of Internal Auditors

Abstract

Internal auditors’ performance largely depends on their moral decisions when faced with ethical dilemmas. This study explores the impacts of different leadership styles on internal auditors’ moral choice using ERG theory and Path-goal theory. The findings of the survey demonstrated support for both theories. Regression analysis revealed that a sample of West Australian internal auditors were motivated by growth needs and the motivation was enhanced if the leader took a Standard-achievement-oriented approach. Gender appeared as an important predictor and female respondents in the survey were younger and less experienced than their male counterparts and appeared less motivated towards moral choice.