The Role of Leadership Behavior Among Government Administrators on Their Adherence to the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards

In the public sector, adherence to ethical standards and codes of conduct is essential for maintaining integrity, transparency, and public trust. This study explores the relationship between administrator's leadership behavior and their adherence to the Code-of-Conduct-and-Ethical-Standards, particularly in the national government agencies in the Philippines. A quantitative descriptive-correlational research design was employed, utilizing a survey questionnaire to gather primary data from 120 respondents. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including mean, standard deviation, t-test, Pearson correlation, ANOVA, and simple linear regression analysis, were used to analyze the data. The findings revealed a slightly positive display of leadership behavior among the office administrators. Moreover, the respondents demonstrated a high level of compliance with established ethical guidelines and conduct codes, and the results indicated a statistically significant correlation between leadership behavior and such practices of ethical principles. Furthermore, transformational behavior emerged as a significant predictor of adherence to ethical standards, emphasizing its importance in promoting ethical behavior in the workplace. These findings indicate that individuals who exhibit transformational behavior are more likely to adhere to the ethical standards set by the organization. Specifically, it highlights how transformational leadership behaviors can significantly predict and enhance adherence to ethical standards, affirming the principles of the Path-Goal Theory in guiding effective leadership practices in the workplace.