Sustainable Cyber Incivility and Service Innovation: Does Transformational Leadership Matter?

Abstract

In recent years, there has been an upswing in the research on cyber incivility and its impact on individuals and organizations. Despite its negative consequences, cyber incivility has become increasingly common in the workplace as an increasing number of employees use technology to communicate. This study investigated the impact of cyber incivility on the service innovation of Jordanian hotel workers and the mediating effects of leadership change. A comprehensive survey involving employees of Jordanian hotels was conducted, and responses were subjected to structural equation modeling analysis using Smart PLS 4.0 software. The analysis reveals that cyber incivility has a significant negative direct impact on service innovation, while transformational leadership demonstrates a positive and significant direct effect on service innovation. Additionally, the mediating role of transformational leadership in the relationship between cyber incivility and service innovation is negative and significant (β = −.171, ρ = 0.000), emphasizing its crucial contribution to mitigating the adverse effects of cyber incivility on service innovation in the hotel industry. These findings have important implications for hotel managers seeking to improve their employees’ service innovation and mitigate the negative effects of cyber incivility.