Examining the role of transformational leadership in promoting sustainable practices among university teachers in Guangdong

Sustainability is an important issue for universities worldwide, especially in fast-growing regions such as Guangdong Province, China. Although higher education institutions increasingly focus on sustainability, a gap remains between the promotion of sustainability by academic leaders and its actual implementation by educators. This study examines how transformational leadership influences sustainable practices in universities in Guangdong Province. Specifically, it explores the impact of transformational leadership on university teachers’ attitudes, subjective norms, and behaviors related to sustainability. The research is based on a sample of 421 university teachers, selected using a stratified random sampling method. Structural equation modeling was conducted using SmartPLS 4 to analyze the data and measure these relationships. The findings show that transformational leadership significantly improves teachers’ positive attitudes toward sustainability but does not directly increase their engagement in sustainable practices. This result reveals a gap between leaders’ intentions and teachers’ actions. The study provides useful insights for academic leaders and policymakers aiming to promote sustainability in higher education institutions.