Activating Generation Z Employees' Green Innovative Behavior: A Transnational and Multilevel Study on the Hospitality Industry in China and South Korea

ABSTRACT In the face of climate change, the hospitality industry urgently needs to stimulate green innovative behaviors among Generation Z employees. Based on trait activation theory, this study develops a cross‐level model to explore the impact mechanism of green human resource management (GHRM) on employees' green innovative behavior. Data were collected from Generation Z employees in 3–5 star 14,001 EMS certified hotels in China and South Korea. Specifically, we obtained multi‐wave, multi‐source data from 83 managers and 364 employees in China, and 105 managers and 401 employees in South Korea. The study finds that harmonious environmental passion (HEP) mediates the relationship between GHRM practices and innovative behavior, while green culture significantly moderates this path. This research provides strong insights into the literature on GHRM and innovation behaviors. It also provides empirical support for enterprises to motivate employees' green innovative behaviors. These findings have important implications for both theory and practice.