Agent-based modeling and the emergence of leadership in new teams: optimizing decision making from an ethical leadership perspective
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58763/rc2025495Keywords:
Prosocial behavior, Organizational dynamics, Organizational resilience, Computer simulation, Complex systemsAbstract
Introduction: This article explored how NetLogo algorithms simulate the emergence of leadership in newly formed teams, analyzing both the "public perception" and "identity" of the leader and follower. Methodology: A probabilistic approach was used to determine whether an individual assumes leadership or concedes it, based on variables such as their self-assessment of their role and others' perceptions of their capabilities. Using an Agent-Based Model (ABM), the dynamics of ethical leadership (EL) and interactions between agents were investigated, providing a theoretical and practical framework for improving decision-making (DM) in changing organizational environments. Results: The findings demonstrated synergies between ABM and leadership development in teams. In homogeneous environments, leaders emerged slowly, in a distributed manner, and fostered collaboration. In contrast, in hierarchical environments, leaders emerged rapidly, favoring short-term efficiency. Conclusions: The study suggest that disruptive situations can severely affect the stability of the current leader. However, this also created an opportunity for new leaders to emerge, thus promoting group resilience. On the other hand, it is noted that a lack of ethics in leadership can generate disappointment and mistrust, affecting organizational cohesion and performance.
Metrics
References
Abiodun, N. (2024). Trust and distrust in safety leadership: Qualities of importance. Safety Science, 176, 106553. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2024.106553
Acton, B. P. (2020). Using agent-based modeling to test and integrate process-oriented perspectives of leadership emergence [Tesis doctoral, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University]. https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/items/2f4680ac-6325-4bac-8c0a-e149c0392cf9
Agyabeng-Mensah, Y., Baah, C., Afum, E., & Kumi, C. A. (2023). Circular supply chain practices and corporate sustainability performance: Do ethical supply chain leadership and environmental orientation make a difference? Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, 34(2), 213–233. https://doi.org/10.1108/jmtm-08-2022-0296
Almonawer, N., Althonayan, A., Alainati, S., Al-Hammad, F., Haque, R., & bin S Senathirajah, A. R. (2023). Transformational Leadership Style and School Transformation: The Case of Secondary Schools in Kuwait. International Journal of Operations and Quantitative Management, 29(1), 51–67. https://doi.org/10.46970/2022.29.1.4
Anderson, C. A., & Titler, M. G. (2014). Development and verification of an agent-based model of opinion leadership. Implementation Science, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13012-014-0136-6
Antelmi, A., Cordasco, G., D’Ambrosio, G., De Vinco, D., & Spagnuolo, C. (2022). Experimenting with Agent-Based Model Simulation Tools. Applied Sciences, 13(1), 13. https://doi.org/10.3390/app13010013
Banks, G. C., Fischer, T., Gooty, J., & Stock, G. (2021). Ethical leadership: Mapping the terrain for concept cleanup and a future research agenda. The Leadership Quarterly, 32(2), 101471. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2020.101471
Blanco-Fernández, D., Leitner, S., & Rausch, A. (2023). The effects of group adaptation on task performance: An agent-based approach. PLOS ONE, 18(8), e0290578. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0290578
Castro-Ríos, G. A., & Noguera-Hidalgo, Á. L. (2022). ¿Los seguidores eligen a sus líderes? Explicación desde la simulación basada en agentes. Revista Venezolana de Gerencia, 27(100), 1594–1612. https://doi.org/10.52080/rvgluz.27.100.19
Cheng, J., Sun, X., Lu, J., & He, Y. (2022). How Ethical Leadership Prompts Employees’ Voice Behavior? The Roles of Employees’ Affective Commitment and Moral Disengagement. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.732463
Coffie, R. B., Boateng, K. A., & Alhassan, A. U. (2023). Knowledge Management Practices for Enhanced Organisational Performance: Can Leadership Style be a Moderator? Electronic Journal of Knowledge Management, 21(1), 13–28. https://doi.org/10.34190/ejkm.21.1.2771
Coleman, L. R., & Taylor, E. D. (2023). The Importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Effective, Ethical Leadership. Clinics in Sports Medicine, 42(2), 269–280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csm.2022.11.002
Decuypere, A., & Schaufeli, W. (2021). Exploring the Leadership–Engagement Nexus: A Moderated Meta-Analysis and Review of Explaining Mechanisms. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(16), 8592. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18168592
Eisenbeiß, S. A., & Giessner, S. R. (2012). The Emergence and Maintenance of Ethical Leadership in Organizations: A Question of Embeddedness? Journal of Personnel Psychology, 11(1), 7–19. https://doi.org/10.1027/1866-5888/a000055
Fischer, T., Hambrick, D. C., Sajons, G. B., & Van Quaquebeke, N. (2023). Leadership science beyond questionnaires. The Leadership Quarterly, 34(6), 101752. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2023.101752
Frazier, M. L., & Jacezko, M. C. (2021). Leader Machiavellianism as an Antecedent to Ethical Leadership: The Impact on Follower Psychological Empowerment and Work Outcomes. Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies, 28(2), 154–168. https://doi.org/10.1177/1548051820971293
Ghaffarzadegan, N., Majumdar, A., Williams, R., & Hosseinichimeh, N. (2024). Generative agent‐based modeling: An introduction and tutorial. System Dynamics Review, 40(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/sdr.1761
Gichuhi, J. M. (2021). Shared Leadership and Organizational Resilience: A Systematic Literature Review. International Journal of Organizational Leadership, 10(1), 67–88. https://doi.org/10.33844/ijol.2021.60536
Gillet, N., Morin, A. J. S., Colombat, P., Ndiaye, A., & Fouquereau, E. (2023). Burnout profiles: Dimensionality, replicability, and associations with predictors and outcomes. Current Psychology, 42(6), 4504–4522. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-01807-3
Hameduddin, T., & Engbers, T. (2022). Leadership and public service motivation: A systematic synthesis. International Public Management Journal, 25(1), 86–119. https://doi.org/10.1080/10967494.2021.1884150
Hoang, G., Luu, T. T., Du, T., & Nguyen, T. T. (2023). Can both entrepreneurial and ethical leadership shape employees’ service innovative behavior? Journal of Services Marketing, 37(4), 446–463. https://doi.org/10.1108/jsm-07-2021-0276
Hofman, M., Grela, G., & Oronowicz, M. (2023). Impact of Shared Leadership Quality on Agile Team Productivity and Project Results. Project Management Journal, 54(3), 285–305. https://doi.org/10.1177/87569728221150436
Islam, T., Khatoon, A., Cheema, A. U., & Ashraf, Y. (2024). How does ethical leadership enhance employee work engagement? The roles of trust in leader and harmonious work passion. Kybernetes, 53(6), 2090–2106. https://doi.org/10.1108/k-09-2022-1343
Jiang, S., Ma, G., Wang, D., & Jia, J. (2023). How Inclusive Leadership Influences Voice Behavior in Construction Project Teams: A Social Identity Perspective. Project Management Journal, 54(2), 116–131. https://doi.org/10.1177/87569728221133093
Kasman, M., Hammond, R. A., Purcell, R., Saliba, L. F., Mazzucca-Ragan, S., Padek, M., Allen, P., Luke, D. A., Moreland-Russell, S., Erwin, P. C., & Brownson, R. C. (2023). Understanding Misimplementation in U.S. State Health Departments: An Agent-Based Model. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 64(4), 525–534. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2022.10.011
Keselman, D., & Saxe-Braithwaite, M. (2021). Authentic and ethical leadership during a crisis. Healthcare Management Forum, 34(3), 154–157. https://doi.org/10.1177/0840470420973051
Kessi, A. M. P., Pananrang, A. D., Muchsidin, F. F., Rizal, M., & Ramlah, R. (2025). The Role of Leadership in Effective and Efficient Human Resource Management Decision Making. Paradoks : Jurnal Ilmu Ekonomi, 8(2), 509–524. https://doi.org/10.57178/paradoks.v8i2.1153
Kjellström, S., Stålne, K., & Törnblom, O. (2020). Six ways of understanding leadership development: An exploration of increasing complexity. Leadership, 16(4), 434–460. https://doi.org/10.1177/1742715020926731
Koay, K. Y., & Lim, P. K. (2022). Ethical leadership and knowledge hiding: Testing the mediating and moderating mechanisms. Journal of Knowledge Management, 26(3), 574–591. https://doi.org/10.1108/jkm-02-2021-0091
Lakmali, R. G. N., Genovese, P. V., & Abewardhana, A. A. B. D. P. (2024). Evaluating the Efficacy of Agent-Based Modeling in Analyzing Pedestrian Dynamics within the Built Environment: A Comprehensive Systematic Literature Review. Buildings, 14(7), 1945. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14071945
Leitner, S. (2025). Emergent task allocation and incentives: An agent-based model. Central European Journal of Operations Research, 33(1), 211–239. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10100-024-00921-4
Li, G., Li, L., Xie, L., & Lopez, O. S. (2024). The effects of ethical leadership on creativity: A conservation of resources perspective. Current Psychology, 43(6), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-04703-0
Li, P., Sun, J.-M., Taris, T. W., Xing, L., & Peeters, M. C. W. (2021). Country differences in the relationship between leadership and employee engagement: A meta-analysis. The Leadership Quarterly, 32(1), 101458. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2020.101458
Lisá, E., Sousa, J., Morais, C., & Gomes, A. R. (2023). Leadership cycles, styles, and antecedent factors: The perspective of coaches and young soccer athletes from national Slovak leagues. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1218290
Liu, B. F., Shi, D., Lim, J. R., Islam, K., Edwards, A. L., & Seeger, M. (2022). When Crises Hit Home: How U.S. Higher Education Leaders Navigate Values During Uncertain Times. Journal of Business Ethics, 179(2), 353–368. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-021-04820-5
Liu, X., Huang, Y., Kim, J., & Na, S. (2023). How Ethical Leadership Cultivates Innovative Work Behaviors in Employees? Psychological Safety, Work Engagement and Openness to Experience. Sustainability, 15(4), 3452. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043452
Lizier, A., Brooks, F., & Bizo, L. (2024). Importance of clarity, hierarchy, and trust in implementing distributed leadership in higher education. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 52(4), 901–915. https://doi.org/10.1177/17411432221105154
Mao, H., Peng, S., Zhang, L., & Zhang, Y. (2023). Self-serving leadership and innovative behavior: Roles of psychological entitlement and moral identity. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1071457
Mehmood, A., & Lawa, A. (2025). Ethical Leadership as a Catalyst for Organizational Resilience in times of Crisis: A Mixed-Methods Approach (American Context). Review of Applied Management and Social Sciences, 8(1), 409–422. https://doi.org/10.47067/ramss.v8i1.472
Meirinhos, G., Cardoso, A., Neves, M., Silva, R., & Rêgo, R. (2023). Leadership Styles, Motivation, Communication and Reward Systems in Business Performance. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 16(2), 70. https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm16020070
Musaigwa, M. (2023). The Role of Leadership in Managing Change. International Review of Management and Marketing, 13(6), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.32479/irmm.13526
Nassif, A. G., Hackett, R. D., & Wang, G. (2021). Ethical, Virtuous, and Charismatic Leadership: An Examination of Differential Relationships with Follower and Leader Outcomes. Journal of Business Ethics, 172(3), 581–603. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-020-04491-8
NetLogo (2024). NetLogo. https://modelingcommons.org/browse/one_model/7283#model_tabs_browse_nlw
Nguyen, N. T. T., Nguyen, N. P., & Thanh Hoai, T. (2021). Ethical leadership, corporate social responsibility, firm reputation, and firm performance: A serial mediation model. Heliyon, 7(4), e06809. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06809
Núñez-Barahona, E. G., & Espinosa-Cristia, J. F. (2024). Ethical leadership and employee behavior. Scientometric analysis in scientific production. Región Científica, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.58763/rc2024295
Palanski, M., Newman, A., Leroy, H., Moore, C., Hannah, S., & Den Hartog, D. (2021). Quantitative Research on Leadership and Business Ethics: Examining the State of the Field and an Agenda for Future Research. Journal of Business Ethics, 168(1), 109–119. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-019-04267-9
Pattali, S., Sankar, J. P., Al Qahtani, H., Menon, N., & Faizal, S. (2024). Effect of leadership styles on turnover intention among staff nurses in private hospitals: The moderating effect of perceived organizational support. BMC Health Services Research, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-10674-0
Pearce, C., & Conger, J. (2003). Shared Leadership: Reframing the Hows and Whys of Leadership. SAGE Publications, Inc. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781452229539
Peifer, Y., Jeske, T., & Hille, S. (2022). Artificial Intelligence and its Impact on Leaders and Leadership. Procedia Computer Science, 200, 1024–1030. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2022.01.301
Peifer, Y., & Terstegen, S. (2024). Artificial Intelligence – Qualification and Competence Development Requirements for Executives. Procedia Computer Science, 232, 736–744. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2024.01.073
Rahaman, H. M. S., Stouten, J., & Guo, L. (2019). Antecedents of ethical leadership: The theory of planned behavior. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 40(6), 735–746. https://doi.org/10.1108/lodj-11-2018-0417
Rasheed, M. I., Hameed, Z., Kaur, P., & Dhir, A. (2024). Too sleepy to be innovative? Ethical leadership and employee service innovation behavior: A dual-path model moderated by sleep quality. Human Relations, 77(6), 739–767. https://doi.org/10.1177/00187267231163040
Sánchez Rodríguez, S., & Ramírez Alatriste, F. (2023). La coopetencia como un fenómeno emergente. Un modelo basado en agentes. Revista Universidad y Empresa, 25(45), 1–31. https://doi.org/10.12804/revistas.urosario.edu.co/empresa/a.12464
Sawhney, G., McCord, M. A., Cunningham, A., Adjei, K., Young, H., & Glerum, D. (2023). Good and Bad Influences: A Meta-Analysis of Leader Behavior on Followers’ Experienced and Perpetrated Deviance. Human Performance, 36(1), 24–44. https://doi.org/10.1080/08959285.2022.2142228
Şengüllendi, M. F., Bilgetürk, M., & Afacan Fındıklı, M. (2024). Ethical leadership and green innovation: The mediating role of green organizational culture. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 67(8), 1702–1723. https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2023.2180347
Servaes, M., Nguyen Thi Thu, H., Kluijtmans, T., & Crucke, S. (2023). Don’t talk the talk, but walk the walk: The role of authentic CSR in fostering beneficial employee outcomes. Management Decision, 61(3), 569–588. https://doi.org/10.1108/md-11-2021-1515
Tursunbayeva, A., & Chalutz-Ben Gal, H. (2024). Adoption of artificial intelligence: A TOP framework-based checklist for digital leaders. Business Horizons, 67(4), 357–368. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2024.04.006
Van Roekel, H. (2023). Examining employee willingness to execute shared leadership: The role of leadership behaviour, gender, age, and context. Leadership, 19(6), 508–529. https://doi.org/10.1177/17427150231198978
Wang, S.-Y., Chen, W.-M., Liu, Y., & Wu, X.-L. (2021). Research on the Decision Mechanism of University‐Enterprise Collaborative Innovation Based on Quantum Cognition. Complexity, 2021(1). https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/5577792
Wang, Y., & Jin, X. (2023). Exploring the Role of Shared Leadership on Job Performance in IT Industries: Testing the Moderated Mediation Model. Sustainability, 15(24), 16767. https://doi.org/10.3390/su152416767
Winchester, C., & Medeiros, K. E. (2023). In Bounds but Out of the Box: A Meta-Analysis Clarifying the Effect of Ethicality on Creativity. Journal of Business Ethics, 183(3), 713–743. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-021-04990-2
Yang, W., & Xu, S. (Tracy). (2024). Should We Be More Mindful? The Joint Impact of an Abusive Work Environment and Mindfulness on Employee Well-Being and Turnover Intentions. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research, 48(4), 712–724. https://doi.org/10.1177/10963480231156832
Younas, A., Wang, D., Javed, B., & Haque, A. U. (2023). Inclusive leadership and voice behavior: The role of psychological empowerment. The Journal of Social Psychology, 163(2), 174–190. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224545.2022.2026283
Zhang, H., Ding, H., & Xiao, J. (2023). How Organizational Agility Promotes Digital Transformation: An Empirical Study. Sustainability, 15(14), 11304. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151411304
Zhao, Y., Zhang, Z., Lu, Y., & Ding, M. (2023). Standing in others’ shoes: The role of leader prosocial motivation in facilitating employee creativity. Creativity and Innovation Management, 32(1), 58–69. https://doi.org/10.1111/caim.12542
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Edelia Guillermina Núñez Barahona
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Este artículo se distribuye bajo la licencia Creative CommonsReconocimiento-NoComercial-CompartirIgual 4.0 Internacional. A menos que se indique lo contrario, el material publicado asociado se distribuye bajo la misma licencia.
