Bridging Generative Leadership and Green Creativity: Unpacking the Role of Psychological Green Climate and Green Commitment in the Hospitality Industry

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the role of Generative leadership (GL) in fostering employees toward green creativity (GrCRT) in tourism and hospitality industry. The present study theorized a model with the help of the theory of componential creativity to investigate GL, PGC, and GC as precursors of GrCRT. In addition to positing the direct associations, the model anticipates the mediation effect of PGC and GC on the association between GL and GrCRT. The data collected from a sample of 380 frontline workers in the hospitality industry of Pakistan assessed by their respective 112 supervisors is analyzed using Process macro. Empirical results confirm that GL significantly fosters employees toward GrCRT. Furthermore, results confirm that psychological green climate (PGC) and green commitment (GC) partially mediate the link between GL-GrCRT. Moreover, the results show that serial mediation is positive and significant. This is maidan study to empirically examine a new construct, such as Generative leadership on green creativity in tourism and hospitality. Further, this study is the first one to study the mediating role of psychological green climate and green commitment on the said relationship and validating the theory of componential creativity. Furthermore, this study would be among the few ones that has examined the serial mediation of psychological green climate and green commitment between GL-GrCRT. This study also make valuable contributions to policy makers in the tourism and hospitality industry to understand how they can reduce the environmental footprints through generative leaders who can encourage employees toward green creativity.

Fostering sustainable tourism in Pakistan: Exploring the influence of environmental leadership on employees' green behavior

“…Thus, the current study aims to investigate how green leadership that is, ESSL can promote EVGB as a way to mitigate the negative impact of the tourism industry on the environment. We therefore argue that it is indispensable to take into account the influence of this style of leadership on EVGB, as demonstrated by previous research (see e.g., Afridi, Javed, et al, 2023;Afridi, Shahjehan, et al, 2023;Bhutto et al, 2021).…”

“…Moreover, studies on leadership emphasize that different style of leadership impact the psychological climate. For example, transformational leadership (Gyensare et al, 2017), generative leadership (Afridi, Shahjehan, et al, 2023), supportive leadership (Schyns et al, 2009), and ethical leadership (Khan et al, 2019) are known to be the noteworthy predictors of psychological climate. In the green context, it has a fairly persuasive role in forming PGC (Zhou et al, 2018).…”

“…Behaviors of leaders, for instance, "ethical leadership," "paternalistic leadership," "transformational leadership," "leader-member exchange," and "Generative Leadership" predicts organizational commitment strongly (Afridi, Shahjehan, et al, 2023;Ahmad & Cheng, 2018;Yang & Yeh, 2018). In cultivating and generating an atmosphere where the individual's satisfaction, inputs, and interests are recognized and cared about, an essential role is played by the leaders (Doh & Quigley, 2014).…”

“…While the role of the leader had been recognized formerly for augmenting employees' commitment (Afridi, Shahjehan, et al, 2023;Clark et al, 2009;Kumar & Krishnaraj, 2018;Ribeiro et al, 2018).…”

“…This study suggests that tourism organizations may encourage sustainable behavior among their employees by highlighting their commitment to ecological values and aims, as well as developing a culture that supports employees' beliefs and ambitions.Furthermore, this study confirmed the significance of GC as a mediator between ESSL and EVGB, emphasizing the important role of employees' attitudes, beliefs, and values in motivating sustainable behavior. While past research has recognized the importance of these elements in supporting sustainability(Afridi, Shahjehan, et al, 2023;Opatha & Kottawatta, 2020;Wells et al, 2016), this work focuses on GC as a mediating mechanism. Our findings imply that ESSL can enhance ecological behavior among employees by encouraging GC, which leads to higher EVGB.…”