Employee sustainable performance in hospitality: the role of green transformational leadership and organizational support

Purpose This study investigates the role of green transformational leadership (GTL) in employee sustainable performance (SP), with organizational support (OS) as a mediator. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was used to collect quantitative data from employees working in Jordanian hotel organizations. Simple random sampling was employed to collect data from employees across various hotels to examine the proposed hypotheses. Findings The study found that GTL positively influence OS, green creativity and green innovation, but it negatively influences job satisfaction (JS). GTL positively influences green creativity and JS via OS, while the mediating effect of OS negatively affects the relation between GTL and green innovation. OS positively influences green creativity and JS while it negatively influences green innovation. Research limitations/implications This study focuses on five-star hotels in Jordan, limiting generalizability. Its practical insights for hotel managers to develop GTL and enhance OS to foster sustainability align with sustainable development goal (SDG) 8 on promoting decent work and employee well-being and SDG 12 on responsible consumption and sustainable operational practices in hospitality. It also highlights the importance of empowering employees through training, recognition and involvement in sustainability initiatives. Originality/value This study integrates two key theories – Social Exchange Theory and Conservation of Resources Theory – to examine the mediating role of OS in the relationship between GTL and employee sustainable performance (ESP). It addresses a gap in hospitality research by linking leadership behaviors with employee SP, encompassing green creativity, green innovation and JS, in the context of five-star hotels.