Purpose This study explores the role of ethical leadership and drivers of open innovation in an integrated framework. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 311 managers in food companies and analyzed using Smart PLS. Findings The results revealed that ethical leadership significantly impacts corporate social responsibility (CSR), relationship quality, and open innovation. It also indicated that CSR and relationship quality have a significant role in structuring open innovation. Furthermore, the results showed that stakeholder engagement significantly moderates the relationships of ethical leadership with CSR and CSR with open innovation. Originality/value This study employed enriched established theories by developing an integrated model linking ethical leadership, CSR, relationship quality, stakeholder engagement, and open innovation. It offers new perspectives on open innovation drivers in terms of ethics. It also enhances our knowledge on translating the values of ethical leadership into innovative actions. The findings also provide valuable practical contributions that can assist companies, managers, and policy-makers in developing an ethical environment in developing open innovation.
Al-Omoush et al. (2026) studied this question.