Purpose–Themainpurposeofthisstudyistorevealtheeffectsofethicalleadershiponworkengagement, intrapreneurshipandservice innovationbehaviorwithaqualitativemethodbasedonsocial exchange theory.Thus, itispossibletoobtainknowledgeontheculturalstructureofthechambersofcommerceand industry. Design/methodology/approach–Thesampleof thestudyconsistedof568employees inchambersof commerceandindustryaffiliatedtotheUnionofChambersandCommodityExchangesofTurkeyoperatingin Turkey.Aphenomenologicalresearchmethodwasadoptedinthisresearch.Fouropen-endedquestionswere askedtotheparticipants.Acodingprocess(conceptualization,classification,componentanalysis)wasusedin dataanalysis. Findings–Accordingtothequalitativeanalysisresults, findingsshowedtheassociationbetweenethical leadership,workengagement,intrapreneurshipandserviceinnovationbehavior.Thecommonthemeproposed by the participantswasmanagement, ethical leadershipandhuman resources. The study reveals the importanceofethical leadershipinchambersofcommerceandindustry. Originality/value–Thisisthefirststudythatrevealstheeffectsofethicalleadershiponworkengagement, intrapreneurshipandservice innovationbehaviorof thechambersofcommerceandindustry.Theoretical background, discussion,managerial implications, limitationsandrecommendations for futurestudiesare discussed.