A principle–application framework for purpose-driven leadership and organizations

Purpose A purpose without an ethical foundation risks can become self-serving or even harmful, whereas ethical frameworks help ensure that leadership serves the broader community. This paper aims to develop a framework that links ethical principles to organizational practices in contemporary leadership. Drawing on utilitarian, justice, and virtue perspectives on ethics, the paper integrates these with scriptural insights from the Jewish tradition, particularly the Abrahamic narrative. In doing so, it explores how ethical principles can inform purpose-driven leadership and guide organizations in navigating today’s societal and strategic challenges. Design/methodology/approach This conceptual paper integrates three ethical perspectives with contemporary management theories (e.g., stakeholder theory, purpose-driven leadership) and applies them across seven principle–application linkages. Each linkage follows a structured logic: ethical justifications, scriptural illustrations grounded in the Jewish tradition, and managerial applications. This approach bridges moral philosophy and organizational practice. Findings The research indicates that ethical perspectives can be systematically translated into organizational practices through a principle–application framework. The integration of ethical theory, scriptural narrative, and management concepts suggests that purpose-driven leadership is grounded in stewardship, justice, compassion, and integrity. Organizations that align their strategies with these principles can achieve sustainable performance, build stakeholder trust, and address complex societal challenges. Originality/value Management theories often emphasize efficiency, organizational behavior, and strategic decision-making, which are important for operational success. However, they tend to be pragmatic and context-specific, focusing more on how to manage than on why leadership exists and what constitutes a morally sound purpose. This paper mitigates the gap by examining contemporary management research alongside ethical principles rooted in Abrahamic traditions, an approach that remains underexplored in leadership studies. By combining traditional ethical insights with modern business imperatives, the paper offers both theoretical depth and practical, societal relevance for leaders who seek to build purpose into their organizational culture.