Implications for theory
The results are consistent with social exchange theory predictions (Blau, 1964;
Homans, 1961). Specifically, findings indicate that the quality of the social exchange
between leader and subordinate is critical to the relationship between leader behaviors
and important outcomes. The findings also support the notion that the relationship
between ethical leaders and their followers is a social one rather than one dependent on
economic exchange (Brown and Trevin˜ o, 2006).