Beyond variable-centered approaches: A latent class analysis of green leadership patterns and their relationship with emotional intelligence and environmental behaviors

This study aims to investigate the relationship between green leadership behaviors, leaders' emotional intelligence, and employees' green organizational citizenship behavior (GOCB) in Turkish manufacturing and service industries by identifying distinct patterns of green leadership through Latent Class Analysis (LCA). A person-centered analytical framework was employed to capture heterogeneity in leadership styles, moving beyond traditional variable-centered approaches. Data were collected from 422 participants through a web-based survey. Multiple statistical criteria, including information criteria (BIC, AIC, SABIC), significance tests (LMR-LRT, BLRT), and classification quality indicators (entropy values), were utilized to determine the optimal latent class solution. Subsequent analyses examined class differences through ANOVA, chi-square tests, and multinomial logistic regression, while mediation analyses investigated the role of leaders' emotional intelligence. The research identified distinct leadership profiles that differentially affect environmental behaviors, with emotional intelligence serving as a significant mediating mechanism. Three distinct classes of green leadership were established, each with unique characteristics and impacts on employee environmental behaviors. Leaders belonging to different classes demonstrated varying levels of effectiveness in promoting sustainable practices among their employees. The findings reveal the complex interplay between green leadership patterns, emotional intelligence, and environmental outcomes. This study demonstrates that the effectiveness of green leadership is not uniform but varies according to specific leadership profiles and their integration with emotional intelligence capabilities. Organizations seeking to enhance environmental sustainability should focus on developing targeted leadership development programs that consider the specific characteristics and profiles of green leaders. By understanding the distinct patterns of green leadership and their differential effects on employee behaviors, organizations can implement more effective strategies for promoting environmental responsibility in the workplace.