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Environmentally sustainable leadership: A systematic literature review and future research agenda

Author

Listed:
  • Dan Yang
  • Joseph Crawford
  • Dan Daugaard

    (Tasmanian School of Business and Economics, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia)

  • Jing Jia

    (Newcastle Business School, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia)

Abstract

Environmental and climate-based concerns are essential to contemporary leadership scholarship and practice. While organisations are endeavouring to respond, ambiguity persists regarding the effective role of leaders and leadership in driving corporate social responsibility and environmental, social and governance (ESG) agendas. This study aims to investigate the motivations behind leaders’ engagement in sustainability and examine the influence of leaders and leadership on organisational environmental sustainability. By conducting a systematic literature review using the PRISMA protocol, this study identifies 123 studies on the effect of leaders and leadership on organisational environmental sustainability. Thematic analysis highlights the driving factors of leadership styles, leader values and demographics. We further categorise leader and leadership effects on environmental sustainability in employees’ environmental behaviour, environmental measurements, green innovation and environmental management and strategy. Nuanced differences between the roles of leaders and leadership on environmental sustainability are highlighted. Future research trajectories are proposed on leaders’ motivations to pursue environmental sustainability, sustainable leadership development and an increased emphasis on sustainability challenges. This review offers both theoretical and practical implications for academia and practitioners to equip leaders for environmental sustainability initiatives. JEL Classification: D23, M14

Suggested Citation

  • Dan Yang & Joseph Crawford & Dan Daugaard & Jing Jia, 2026. "Environmentally sustainable leadership: A systematic literature review and future research agenda," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 51(3), pages 862-890, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ausman:v:51:y:2026:i:3:p:862-890
    DOI: 10.1177/03128962251350335
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    JEL classification:

    • D23 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Organizational Behavior; Transaction Costs; Property Rights
    • M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility

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