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Responsibility Driving Innovation: How Environmentally Responsible Leadership Shapes Employee Green Creativity

Author

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  • Zhiyong Han

    (School of Business Administration, Anhui University of Finance and Economics, Bengbu 233030, China)

  • Qi Li

    (School of Business Administration, Anhui University of Finance and Economics, Bengbu 233030, China)

  • Bo Li

    (School of Business Administration, Anhui University of Finance and Economics, Bengbu 233030, China)

Abstract

In the setting of global climate change, employees’ green creativity is of great importance for promoting environmental sustainability. However, existing research remains insufficient in exploring the mechanisms through which environmentally responsible leadership influences employees’ green creativity. Based on social cognitive theory, this study collects multi-temporal questionnaire data from 262 corporate employees through the Credamo platform, analyzed via AMOS and SPSS. This study focuses on the mediating role of green mindfulness and the moderating effect of green human resource management practices. Results show that: first, environmentally responsible leadership has a positive impact on employees’ green creativity, and green mindfulness mediates the relationship between environmental responsible leadership and employees’ green creativity; second, green human resource management practices significantly moderate the relationship between environmentally responsible leadership and green mindfulness, as well as the mediating effect of green mindfulness in the relationship between environmentally responsible leadership and employees’ green creativity. The current results provide a theoretical framework for organizations to understand the potential paths for cultivating employees’ green creativity and offer possible strategic directions for advancing corporate sustainability goals.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhiyong Han & Qi Li & Bo Li, 2025. "Responsibility Driving Innovation: How Environmentally Responsible Leadership Shapes Employee Green Creativity," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-18, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:10:p:4606-:d:1658215
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    References listed on IDEAS

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