Green empowering leadership and organisational citizenship behaviour toward the environment of employees in hospitality firms in South Africa

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the impact of green empowering leadership (GEL) on organisational citizenship behaviour toward the environment (OCBE) of employees in hospitality firms. Green empowering leadership is a newly conceptualized leadership style that combines traditional empowering leadership with a focus on environmental sustainability. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine how GEL can improve OCBE in hospitality firms. To test hypotheses and accomplish study goals, the social exchange theory (SET) theory was combined with a quantitative research strategy. Data was collected from hotel employees in a cross-sectional survey and the study adopted the convenience and purposive sampling method, and the survey participants were middle level managers of hotels. The study used the Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) for data analysis. The findings indicate a positive effect of green empowering leadership and OCBE. The findings of the study have important implications for policy and practice in the hospitality industry. There is the need for hotel to adopt green practices and incorporate ecological concerns in their strategy and operation.