Background: A systems approach encourages the consideration of the national dimension of research integrity. National surveys provide a picture of a wider research community overarching research institutions.

Material: We investigated how research ethics and integrity leadership (REI) is manifested in national surveys by conducting a cross-case meta-synthesis of national surveys of Finland, Estonia, Norway, France and the Netherlands using deductive thematic analysis. The REI leadership competence framework involves four central principles: "people's needs," "developing the community," "leaders" personal competencies,' and "open culture."

Results: The principle "researchers" needs' seemed to be related to the support in the working environment, socializing for values and principles, leaders taking responsibility and the need for understanding for career planning, common practices and managing pressure. "Community development" was characterized through REI infrastructure, like guidelines and training, even though participation in training varied substantially across the countries. The principle "leaders" competencies' indicated that leaders should be role-models especially in acting appropriately when allegations of misconduct arise. "Open culture" was displayed through trust and courage to talk about ethics including whistleblowing.

Conclusions: Results indicated that observed misconduct was often not reported because of fear of retaliation, missing instructions or seeing no point in reporting. We provide recommendations for the development of REI leadership.

Keywords: REI leadership; Research ethics; leadership competencies; national survey; research integrity.