The interplay between ethical leadership and employee productivity in South Africa’s early childhood development sector

Abstract

The interplay between ethical leadership and employee productivity is well established in research; however, limited studies have examined this relationship within South Africa's Early Childhood Development (ECD) sector. This gap is important given the persistent leadership challenges, low staff morale, and uneven productivity reported across many ECD centres. Accordingly, this study sought to explore the two constructs through the lens of the ECD sector, with the aim of influencing and improving leadership practices. The literature review further indicated that strengthening leadership within the sector is essential for enhancing organisational effectiveness. The study aimed to explore how ethical leadership influences employee productivity within ECD centres in South Africa. It used qualitative methodology and intentionally used purposive sampling to select 12 participants who participated in semi-structured interviews which enabled them to express their lived experienced. The thematic analysis conducted through ATLAS.ti revealed several interconnected themes, including trust, fairness, role modelling, motivation, and organisational climate. Collectively, these themes demonstrated a clear link between ethical leadership and enhanced employee productivity. These insights highlight ethical leadership as a strategic tool for strengthening performance and professional culture in ECD centres. The study concludes that ethical leadership should not be viewed solely as a moral attribute but as a strategic leadership tool capable of improving staff commitment, performance, and overall centre effectiveness. These findings contribute to the body of knowledge on ECD management and provide practical insights that may inform leadership development, sectoral policies, and managerial practices aimed at strengthening the quality of early childhood services in South Africa.