Exploring the Effects of Green Servant Leadership on Green Service Innovation: The Mediation–Moderation Role of Psychological Empowerment and Employee Green Creativity

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of green servant leadership (GSL) on green service innovation (GSI) in Ghana's hospitality sector, focusing on the mediating role of psychological empowerment (PE) and the moderating role of employee green creativity (EGC). Drawing on social cognitive theory and data from a time-lagged survey of 173 supervisor–employee dyads from three-star and above hotels, the structural equation modelling (SEM) was employed to test the hypothesised relationships. The results demonstrate that GSL positively influences both PE and GSI. PE partially mediates the relationship between GSL and GSI, indicating that empowered employees are more likely to implement innovative green services. EGC was also identified as a significant moderator in the PE–GSI relationship, suggesting that empowered employees with higher creativity levels can achieve greater innovation. The study provides actionable insights for hotel managers and policymakers, highlighting the importance of adopting servant leadership practices that empower employees and encourage creativity to drive sustainable service innovation. This research advances knowledge on sustainable leadership in hospitality by integrating GSL, PE and EGC into one framework. It underscores psychological empowerment as a vital motivational factor and green creativity as essential for fostering innovation in the hospitality industry. These findings enhance the understanding of leadership and sustainability by underscoring psychological empowerment as a vital motivational factor and green creativity as essential for fostering innovation in the hospitality industry.