Promoting green employee behaviour from the lens of green transformational leadership

PurposeThe present study intends to study the role of green transformational leadership in promoting green employee behaviour via green employee creativity. The study will draw its foundation from resource-based view and social exchange theory, thereby providing theoretical underpinning to explore the relationship between leadership, creativity and green behaviour.Design/methodology/approachA survey questionnaire was prepared to collect data to examine the relationship among the variables. Responses of 82 human resource (HR) managers and 488 employees of Indian Information Technology/Information Technology Enabled Services (IT/ITES) firms were used for the study. A 2-1-1 multi-level structural equation modelling (ML-SEM) was performed using Mplus version 8.6 software.FindingsThe study reveals significant and positive association for first three hypotheses, i.e. the direct relationship between green transformational leadership, green employee creativity and green employee behaviour. However, the fourth hypothesis is partially supported. Green employee creativity partially mediates the direct relationship between green transformational leadership and green employee behaviour.Originality/valueBy examining how green transformational leadership influences green employee behaviour through the interaction of creativity, the research offers a novel contribution to the field of sustainable organizational practices, enhancing the understanding of leadership, creativity and environmental commitment. The present research addresses pressing societal issues, contributes to more environmentally responsible practices and enhances the understanding of leadership and creativity in today's socially conscious world. Such a holistic examination of these interconnected factors can lead to actionable strategies for organizations to navigate the challenges of environmental responsibility in a rapidly changing world.