Performative Ethics or Genuine Care in Higher Education? Mixed-Methods Evi-Dence on the Lurking Role of Leader Dark Triad Trait

This study examines the role of ethical leadership (EL) in shaping ethical climate (EC) within high-er education institutions (HEIs), focusing on how Leader Dark Triad (LDT) traits—Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy—moderate the relationship between EL and EC. In response to increasing demands for ethical behavior in academia, this research explores wheth-er EL is genuinely enacted or merely a performative façade. A mixed-methods approach was em-ployed, combining quantitative analysis using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews. The quantitative analysis in-cluded 700 participants, assessing path coefficients, moderating effects, and the reliability of con-structs. The results revealed that EL positively influences EC (path coefficient = 0.60), but LDT traits, particularly narcissism and psychopathy, significantly moderate this relationship. Qualita-tive interviews with faculty members revealed themes of care-washing, ethical manipulation, and image-driven leadership behaviors. The findings suggest that while EL fosters a positive ethical climate, dark traits distort this relationship, creating a strategic façade rather than a genuine commitment to ethics. This study contributes to the literature by redefining EL in the context of dark leadership traits and introducing the concept of "performative ethics." It highlights the need for authentic ethical leadership practices and offers insights for leadership screening and ethical climate audits in HEIs.