The Impact of Structure and Corporate Ideology on Leader–Follower Relations in the Bureaucratic Organization: A Reflection on Moral Mazes

In the wake of organizational scandals associated with corporate America servant as well transformational leadership are seen approaches capable engendering a type morality—on part leaders and followers—based on shared values, universal moral principles an orientation towards pro-social behavior serving common good. However, recent critiques have highlighted tendency in relevant literature to overlook systemic context within which followership situated. Given this oversight paper re-visits classic piece ethnography America: Robert Jackal’s Moral Mazes. Employing concepts from critical realism fused insights studies management bureaucracy we analyse key themes book pertaining nature leader–follower dynamic shareholder capitalism. The analysis highlights role ideology elements shaping relationships, encouraging morality guarding self-interest whilst undermining relationality. influence structural cultural relations unfold draws attention relationally contingent opposed ideal state.