Bridging Ethics and Innovation in Project Management: A Framework for Sustainable Decision-Making

Authors

• Shelly Dadwal

  Business and Management, Yorkville University, Concord, Canada

  Shelly.dadwal@yorkvilleu.ca

  ORCID: 0009-0009-8072-073X

• DOI https://doi.org/10.63329/av3nz12312

Abstract

In today’s fast-changing and competitive global market, project managers are increasingly required to lead with not only strategic insight but also ethical responsibility. This study examines how ethical frameworks not only guide decision-making in high-stakes projects but also shape and reshape organizational cultures, fostering future-ready leadership. Through a systematic review of relevant academic literature and practical case examples from the past 15 years, the study highlights how integrating ethics into project planning, stakeholder engagement, and risk management supports greater transparency, accountability, and innovation. The findings suggest that ethical leadership is not a constraint but a driver of sustainable business practices, especially in complex, high-stakes environments. By integrating ethics into areas such as planning, communication, and conflict resolution, project teams can achieve outcomes that are both effective and aligned with broader social values. Furthermore, this study will contribute to the broader conversation on how leadership and ethics intersect with innovation, offering a practical framework for embedding ethical thinking into project structures. In doing so, it invites further exploration into how values-based leadership can shape the future of project management. A systematic review of 45 peer-reviewed studies and three seminal case studies reveals that ethical project governance, characterized by transparency and stakeholder inclusion, is a critical enabler of sustainable innovation and long-term organizational resilience.

Keywords: Ethical leadership, project management, innovation, business ethics, sustainable decision-making

Copyright & License
© 2025 The Author.
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). This permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.