Environmentally-special responsible leadership and employee green creativity: The role of green job autonomy and green job resource adequacy

Abstract

Green creativity demonstrated by employees in the workplace is beneficial for companies to combat global pollution. While previous research has started to examine the effects of leadership styles specific to certain contexts on employee green creativity (EGC), there is limited literature available that explores the impact of environmentally-specific responsible leadership (ESRL) on EGC. To address this research gap, this study developed and validated a moderated mediation model based on social information processing theory. The analysis of data from 238 full-time manufacturing company employees in China revealed a positive relationship between ESRL and EGC. The relationship between ESRL and EGC was mediated by green job autonomy. This indicates that ESRL can exert an indirect effect on EGC through green job autonomy. Green job resource adequacy not only strengthened the relationship between green job autonomy and EGC, but also positively moderated the mediation of green job autonomy between ESRL and EGC. The findings of this study can inform organizational practice with regard to the enhancement of EGC in response to the deterioration of the natural environment and the increasing environmental demands of stakeholders.