Inclusive Leadership, Perceived Leader Moral Potency, and Leadership Empowerment: The Moderating Role of Leader Social Intelligence in Pakistan’s Software Sector
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71085/rjhsa.04.04.153Keywords:
Inclusive Leadership, Leader Social Intelligence, Moral Potency, Leadership Empowerment, Software Sector and PakistanAbstract
In this study, the connection between inclusive leadership and two crucial follower perceptions perceived leader moral potency and perceived leadership empowerment is explained. It also examines if the moderation effect occurs with the social intelligence of the leader in the information in the software sector in Pakistan. Data was collected with the use of a quantitative, cross-sectional survey design from 464 employees in public and private software firms. Descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, Pearson correlation and Hayes' PROCESS macro Model 1 were used to analyze data. There was strong internal consistency of the measurement scales. The results showed moderate positive correlations between inclusive leadership, perceived leader moral potency, perceived leadership empowerment and leader social intelligence. The moderation analysis revealed that the relationship between inclusive leadership and perceived leadership empowerment was significantly enhanced by leader social intelligence. The moderating effect of inclusive leadership on the relationship between perceived leader moral potency and leader characteristics was not statistically significant at the conventional 5% level, however. However, inclusive leadership demonstrated significant positive conditional effects on moral potency at low, average and high levels of social intelligence. The study brings in a novel perspective to leadership literature by integrating four concepts of inclusion, morality, empowerment, and social intelligence. From a practical perspective, the results highlight the need to build leaders with inclusive leadership behaviors who have high social awareness and interpersonal skills.
Downloads
References
Ağalday, B., & Bozan, S. (2026). Leadership for diversity: Investigating psychological empowerment as a mediator between principals’ inclusive leadership and attitudes toward multicultural education in Türkiye. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 17411432261422534. https://doi.org/10.1177/17411432261422534
Agbejule, A., & Lehtineva, L. (2022). The relationship between traditional project management, agile project management and teamwork quality on project success. International Journal of Organizational Analysis, 30(7), 124–136. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOA-02-2022-3149
Ahmad, I., & Umrani, W. A. (2019). The impact of ethical leadership style on job satisfaction: Mediating role of perception of Green HRM and psychological safety. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 40(5), 534–547. https://doi.org/10.1108/LODJ-12-2018-0461
Akkermans, J., Brenninkmeijer, V., Huibers, M., & Blonk, R. W. B. (2013). Competencies for the Contemporary Career: Development and Preliminary Validation of the Career Competencies Questionnaire. Journal of Career Development, 40(3), 245–267. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894845312467501
Al-Atwi, A. A., & Al-Hassani, K. K. (2021). Inclusive leadership: Scale validation and potential consequences. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 42(8), 1222–1240. https://doi.org/10.1108/LODJ-08-2020-0327
Ali, M. I., Ali, S., Khan, I., & Bano, K. (2024). Exploring the Connection between a Leader’s Emotional Intelligence and their Effectiveness in Managing Teams and Organization. Review of Applied Management and Social Sciences, 7(4), 623–634. https://doi.org/10.47067/ramss.v7i4.404
Altaher, A. M., AL-Obaidly, G. A., Al-badaineh, G., Kashoob, S. S. M., Hammouri, Q., & Khasawneh, M. A. S. (2024). The impact of leadership styles on project success: The mediating role of team collaboration. Journal of Project Management, 9(4), 485–492. https://doi.org/10.5267/j.jpm.2024.7.001
Amallia, B. A., Effendi, M. I., & Ghofar, A. (2021). The Effect of Green Advertising, Trust, and Attitude on Green Purchase Intention: An Evidence from Jogjakarta, Indonesia. International Journal of Creative Business and Management, 1(1), 66. https://doi.org/10.31098/ijcbm.v1i1.4553
Ambrose, M. L., & Schminke, M. (2009). The role of overall justice judgments in organizational justice research: A test of mediation. Journal of Applied Psychology, 94(2), 491–500. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0013203
Anwar, F., Awan, N. P., & Danish, Rizwan Qaiser. (2025). Sustainable Career of Disabled Employees in Pakistan through Idiosyncratic Deals and Emotional Exhaustion. Pakistan Journal of Life and Social Sciences (PJLSS), 23(1). https://doi.org/10.57239/PJLSS-2025-23.1.00729
Ashfaq, M., Khan, M. M., Ahmed, S. S., & Khan, N. R. (2026). The ethical disconnect out of abuse: Path of abused follower to unethical behavior in an unethical climate. International Journal of Ethics and Systems, 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOES-12-2025-0720
Asiamah, N., Mensah, H. K., & Oteng-Abayie, E. F. (2022). Non-Probabilistic Sampling in Quantitative Clinical Research: A Typology and Highlights for Students and Early Career Researchers. International Journal of Applied Research on Public Health Management, 7(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.4018/IJARPHM.290379
Awan, N. P., Bajwa, F. A., & Dost, K. B. (2025). Effect of I-Deals, Psychological Safety, and Perceived Insider Status on the Sustainable Career of Female Employees in Service Sectors of Pakistan. Journal of Social & Organizational Matters, 4(2), 360–374. https://doi.org/10.56976/jsom.v4i2.242
Bakker, A. B., Demerouti, E., & Sanz-Vergel, A. I. (2014). Burnout and Work Engagement: The JD–R Approach. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 1(1), 389–411. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-031413-091235
Bangquiao, S. G., & Galigao, R. (2025). Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and education. Pantao (International Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences). https://doi.org/10.69651/PIJHSS040215
Bayntun-Lees, D. (2026). Gender, Inclusive Leadership, and Employee Voice. In R. Prouska, A. Psychogios, & A. McKearney (Eds.), Inclusive Leadership and Employee Voice (pp. 123–140). Springer Nature Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-19163-2_9
Cai, W., & Song, J. (2026). Echoes of integrity: How and when leader integrity influences employee moral voice? Chinese Management Studies, 20(4), 1099–1122. https://doi.org/10.1108/CMS-02-2025-0096
Carter, W. R., Nesbit, P. L., Badham, R. J., Parker, S. K., & Sung, L.-K. (2018). The effects of employee engagement and self-efficacy on job performance: A longitudinal field study. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 29(17), 2483–2502. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2016.1244096
Çetinkaya, B., & Yeşilada, T. (2022). Inclusive leadership and employee innovative work behaviours: Testing a psychological empowerment and leader-member exchange moderated-mediation model. Journal of Psychology in Africa, 32(1), 15–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/14330237.2021.2002035
Chui, S. L. M. (2020). Inclusive Leadership and Responsible Innovation. In J. Marques (Ed.), The Routledge Companion to Inclusive Leadership (1st ed., pp. 109–118). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429294396-10
Dina Yuli Wardani, Zakhyadi Ariffin, & Ahmad Rifani. (2025). Authentic, Ethical, and Transformational Leadership: Effects on Leadership Effectiveness and Trust. JWM (JURNAL WAWASAN MANAJEMEN), 13(3), 127–132. https://doi.org/10.20527/jwm.v13i3.455
Emerson, R. M. (1976). Social Exchange Theory. Annual Review of Sociology, 335–362.
Fang, Y.-C., Chen, J.-Y., Wang, M.-J., & Chen, C.-Y. (2019). The Impact of Inclusive Leadership on Employees’ Innovative Behaviors: The Mediation of Psychological Capital. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 1803. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01803
Ferdiana, S., Khan, Z., & Ray, S. (2023). Investigating the Impact of Career Development, Organizational Commitment, and Organizational Support on Employee Retention. Journal of Management Studies and Development, 2(02), Article 02. https://doi.org/10.56741/jmsd.v2i02.108
Fry, L. W. (2003). Toward a theory of spiritual leadership. The Leadership Quarterly, 14(6), 693–727. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2003.09.001
Gao, Q., Li, Y., Zhang, G., Wang, B., Dzhumabaeva, M., & Adylbek Kyzy, G. (2026). From inclusive leadership to thriving at work: The mediating and moderating roles of teaching efficacy and professional identity. Frontiers in Psychology, 17, 1803220. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1803220
Gül, İ., & Tuna, Ö. (2026). The Impact of Inclusive Leadership Characteristics on Healthcare Workers’ Voice Behavior: Assessing the Managerial Role. İşletme Bilimi Dergisi, (Advanced Online Publication), 704–719. https://doi.org/10.22139/jobs.1760589
Hadisuwito, M. S., Yokanan, R. T., & Kaloeti, A. K. (2025). Effect of inclusive leadership on innovative work behavior mediated by perceived organizational support. PHINISI, 83–96. https://doi.org/10.64282/phi.v2i3.98
Hafids Haryonno & R. Slamet Santoso. (2025). The meaning of psychological empowerment in building professionalism among madrasah employees: a phenomenological study at man 1 ngawi. International seminar, 7, 707–716. https://doi.org/10.36563/twdnx280
Hakeem, M. J., A, J. C., M, S. M., & M, S. M. (2026). Moral responsibility and willingness to sacrifice as drivers of voluntary environmental action in public organizations. In Review. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9093816/v1
Hayes, A. F. (2017). Introduction to Mediation, Moderation, and Conditional Process Analysis, Second Edition: A Regression-Based Approach. Guilford Publications.
Herttalampi, M., Riivari, E., Siltaoja, M., & Feldt, T. (2025). Profiling moral potency dimensions: A person-centered, multi-sample study. Journal of Management & Organization, 31(2), 495–510. https://doi.org/10.1017/jmo.2024.64
Hudie, X., Yun, C., & Fuqiang, Z. (2017). Inclusive Leadership, Perceived Organizational Support, and Work Engagement: The Moderating Role of Leadership-Member Exchange Relationship. Proceedings of the 2017 7th International Conference on Social Network, Communication and Education (SNCE 2017). 2017 7th International Conference on Social Network, Communication and Education (SNCE 2017). https://doi.org/10.2991/snce-17.2017.48
Jiang, X., Zhang, Y., & Liu, H. (2026). AI-based performance feedback and coaching effectiveness: A moderated mediation model in football. Scientific Reports, 16(1), 22395. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-59780-5
Joy, P. C., & Jose, J. (2026). Inclusive Leadership: The New Normal Style for Diverse and Dynamic Organisations. Asian Journal of Advanced Research and Reports, 20(7), 241–257. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajarr/2026/v20i71411
Judijanto, L. (2026). Contemporary Business Leadership: Integrating Transformational, Digital, Inclusive, and Ethical Leadership for Sustainable Organizational Performance. Multitech Journal of Science and Technology, 3(7), 839–856. https://doi.org/10.59890/mjst.v3i7.279
Karbasi, N. S., & Alavi, S. B. (2024). Unveiling the potential of perceived authentic leadership to enhance followers’ moral intentions: A self-determination theory perspective. Management Research Review, 47(10), 1654–1683. https://doi.org/10.1108/MRR-05-2023-0318
Kelemen, T. K., Matthews, M. J., Whitney, J. M., & Matthews, S. H. (2026). A Return to the Foundations of Social Information Processing Theory. Academy of Management Annals, 20(1), 259–284. https://doi.org/10.5465/annals.2024.0251
Laila Wati Madlan@Endalan. (2025). Emotional Intelligence Personal and Social Competence Scale Psychometric: Single Mother in Sabah, Malaysia. Jurnal Psikologi Dan Kesihatan Sosial, 9(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.51200/jpks.v9i1.7015
Li, N. (2026). How inclusive leadership promotes employee innovation behavior: The role of error management climate and psychological empowerment. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 47(4), 782–802. https://doi.org/10.1108/LODJ-07-2025-0562
Litvinova, A. S. (2026). The use of artificial intelligence in promoting inclusive education. Professional Education in the Modern World, 16(1), 159–168. https://doi.org/10.20913/2224-1841-2026-1-18
Malterud, K., Siersma, V. D., & Guassora, A. D. (2016). Sample Size in Qualitative Interview Studies: Guided by Information Power. Qualitative Health Research, 26(13), 1753–1760. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732315617444
Mansoor, M., & Qazi, S. W. (2026). Leading Through Trust: A Systematic Review of How Followers’ Trust Shape Leadership Behaviors and Styles. Journal of Business Administration and Management Sciences (JOBAMS), 7(2), 59–67. https://doi.org/10.58921/jobams.7.2.177
Manyara-Chigome, C. J., Chikanza, D., Pagwauya, S., & Nyadombo, D. (2026). Fostering Inclusive Business Practices through Sustainable Development. East African Journal of Business and Economics, 9(3), 78–92. https://doi.org/10.37284/eajbe.9.3.5314
Mawela, A., & Mulovhedzi, S. (2026). The significance of instructional leaders in promoting inclusive education strategies to enhance learners’ performance. International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147- 4478), 14(10), 456–463. https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v14i10.4667
Mesdaghinia, S., Rawat, A., & Nadavulakere, S. (2019). Why Moral Followers Quit: Examining the Role of Leader Bottom-Line Mentality and Unethical Pro-Leader Behavior. Journal of Business Ethics, 159(2), 491–505. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-018-3812-7
Pantić, N., Coppe, T., & Viry, G. (2026). An illustrated tutorial on mixed-method social network analysis of embedded network agency. Network Science, 14, e5. https://doi.org/10.1017/nws.2026.10024
Pardede, M. (2026). From Digital Interaction to Institutional Disposition: A Multilevel Information-Processing Theory of Engagement Conversion in Government Social Media. SSRN. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.7172763
Parmankulova, P. (2026). A model for diagnosing and preventing burnout in inclusive education teachers with elements of artificial intelligence. Frontiers in Education, 11, 1861982. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2026.1861982
Pérez‐López, S., & Alegre, J. (2012). Information technology competency, knowledge processes and firm performance. Industrial Management & Data Systems, 112(4), 644–662. https://doi.org/10.1108/02635571211225521
Pinandito, S., & Muafi, M. (2026). Perceived Diversity, Inclusive Leadership, and Discrimination: The Mediating Role of Inclusion on Employee Well-Being. Reviu Akuntansi, Manajemen, Dan Bisnis, 5(2), 487–499. https://doi.org/10.35912/rambis.v5i2.6360
QAdumi, A., Yousef, H., Nairat, Q., Qutob, R., Amad, S., Qadoumi, M., & Qadoume, A. (2026). Evaluation of psychological empowerment and psychological safety among male volleyball players in Palestine. Retos, 79, 1068–1081. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v79.119426
Rajun, I. S. B. A., Singh, S. S. B., Taat, M. S., & Mosin, M. B. (2024). Exploring the effect of inclusive leadership on psychological distress through organizational climate mediation and moderation. Humanities and Social Sciences Letters, 12(2), 425–442. https://doi.org/10.18488/73.v12i2.3787
Rathore, S. (2026). The Study of Women’s Leadership and Gender-Inclusive Workplaces: Challenges, Practices, and Pathways Forward. Edumania-An International Multidisciplinary Journal, 4(2), 134–143. https://doi.org/10.59231/edumania/9201
Rudel, E., Ciesielski, S., & Sharp, J. (2026). The leader as organizational social architect: Integrating emotional intelligence and inclusive leadership. In A. J. Nurick (Ed.), Research Handbook on Emotional Intelligence at Work (pp. 240–253). Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781035332526.00019
Schermuly, C. C., Algner, M., & Lorenz, T. (2025). Bringing back psychological empowerment in empowerment-oriented leadership: The development of the Psychological Empowerment Leadership Scale (PELS). Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1539085. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1539085
Sharifi, H., Ashghali Farahani, M., Lotfi, S., & Hosseini, S. E. (2026). The Relationship Between Social Intelligence and Communication Skills in Nurses. Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Sciences, 13(2). https://doi.org/10.5812/jnms-167061
Shek, D. T. L., & Yu, L. (2014). Confirmatory factor analysis using AMOS: A demonstration. International Journal on Disability and Human Development, 13(2). https://doi.org/10.1515/ijdhd-2014-0305
Shin, D., Jeon, H., & Kim, W. (2026). Inclusive Leadership, Adaptive Performance, and the Mediating Roles of Psychological Safety and Psychological Empowerment. Korean Human Resource Development Strategy Institute, 21(1), 63–94. https://doi.org/10.21329/khrd.2026.21.1.63
Shore, L. M., Chung, B. G., & Wiegand, J. P. (2026). A Model of Inclusive Leadership and the Key Role of Decision-Making Empowerment. SSRN. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.6340219
Su Myat Aye & Yin Mar Saw. (2026). An Investigation into Social Intelligence and Job Performance of Teacher Educators. International Journal of Educational Research & Social Sciences, 7(4), 195–202. https://doi.org/10.51601/ijersc.v7i4.1049
Sulastri, Nur Sasongko, R., & Kristiawan, M. (2026). Ethical role modeling as a leadership strategy for inclusive education development. Indonesian Journal of Educational Development (IJED), 7(1), 244–258. https://doi.org/10.59672/ijed.v7i1.6173
Tung, D. D., & Ramasamy, V. (2026). Responsible leadership shields against burnout through moderated mediation of psychological empowerment and perceived organizational support. Discover Psychology, 6(1), 168. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44202-026-00717-4
Tushar, H., Nargis, S., & Ahmed Waliullah, S. S. (2022). Factors that Influence Followers to Be a Future Ethical Leader. IUBAT Review, 77–88. https://doi.org/10.3329/iubatr.v5i1.64594
Ubaidillah Arriza & Salamah Wahyuni. (2026). The Effect of Organizational Trust, Inclusive Leadership and Empowering Leadership on Group Conflict: The Mediation Role of Psychological Safety (A Study on Shopee Employees in Solo City). International Journal of Economics, Business and Management Research, 10(07), 215–240. https://doi.org/10.51505/IJEBMR.2026.10713
Ullah, I., Mirza, B., & Jamil, A. (2021). The influence of ethical leadership on innovative performance: Modeling the mediating role of intellectual capital. Journal of Management Development, 40(4), 273–292. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMD-08-2020-0277
Vetoniemi, J., & Kärnä, E. (2026). Fostering Inclusive Excellence—School Leaders’ Perceptions of Leadership and Developing an Inclusive School Culture in Finland. European Journal of Education, 61(3), e70719. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejed.70719
Vladasel, T., Lindquist, M. J., Sol, J., & Van Praag, M. (2021). On the origins of entrepreneurship: Evidence from sibling correlations. Journal of Business Venturing, 36(5), 106017. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2020.106017
Vyshishtya Anand, D. (2026). From Representation to Inclusion: Workforce Diversity in Modern IT Firms. International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research, 8(1), 67897. https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i01.67897
Wakhyuni, E., Manggiasih, T., Ratnasari, P. E., Odor, H. O., & Oni, O. O. (2026). Talent Management Practices, Inclusive Leadership, And Empowerment Climate as Determinant of Employee Engagement of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs). Sultanist: Jurnal Manajemen Dan Keuangan, 14(1), 82–97. https://doi.org/10.37403/sultanist.v14i1.879
Zhang, A., & Hahn, J. (2026). When inclusive leadership promotes innovation: The role of team psychological safety and leader power distance orientation. Frontiers in Psychology, 17, 1868768. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1868768
Zhang, S., Liu, Y., Li, G., Zhang, Z., & Fa, T. (2022). Chinese nurses’ innovation capacity: The influence of inclusive leadership, empowering leadership and psychological empowerment. Journal of Nursing Management, 30(6), 1990–1999. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.13654
Zikai Song, Xiajie Li, Yunyao Zhang, Xinglang Zhang, Wei Yang, & Junqing Yu. (2026). Social Intelligence Modeling: A Comprehensive Survey from Social Perception to Social Simulation. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.21157.87528
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Areeba Mann, Prof. Dr. Zafar-Uz-Zaman Anjum, Dr. Rizwan Qaiser Danish (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
