Abstract

Empirical studies on positive outcomes of occupational calling are increasing, but there are relatively few considerations of psychological variables and mechanisms that predict perceiving a calling. We studied a mediating effect of leader identification and moral identity in a relationship between ethical leadership and occupational calling. 324 Navy personnel participated in this study and responded to the following questionnaires: Ethical Leadership Scale (ELS); Leader Identification Scale; Moral Identity Scale; Calling and Vocation Questionnaire (CVQ). The results showed significant relationships between ethical leadership, leader identification, moral identity, and occupational calling. Also, ethical leadership was positively related to occupational calling, and moral identity was also positively related to occupational calling. Lastly, a sequential mediating model showed the relationship between ethical leadership and occupational calling was mediated by both leader identification and moral identity sequentially. Based on the results, theoretical and practical implications for promoting an occupational calling, limitations, and suggestions for future research were discussed.