HOSPITALITY LEADING GREEN FOR A SUSTAINABLE SCENE: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF GREEN ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GREEN SERVANT LEADERSHIP AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE

Amidist the increasingly pressing environmental issues confronting hospitality businesses, there arises an urging demand for the adoption of sustainable leadership paradigms. This study seeks to explore the influence of green servant leadership (GSL) on environmental performance (ENVP) within the Saudi Arabian hospitality sector, with a keen focus on the mediating function of green organizational culture (GOC). This study deployed on a purposive sampling technique with the engagement of 420 employees from the hospitality industry in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia. Further, the data analysis was conducted through using the partial least squares structural equation modeling to scrutinize the intricate connections among GSL, GOC, and ENVP. The study results revealed that GSL significantly bolsters both GOC and ENVP, underscoring its pivotal role in advancing sustainability within the sector. Furthermore, the study identified GOC as a crucial mediator in the nexus between GSL and ENVP, accentuating its significance in fostering environmentally conscious practices within organizational settings. By addressing these questions, this research seeks to contribute to the broader discourse on sustainable leadership by offering empirical insights into the role of GSL in encouraging environmental responsibility and supporting sustainable tourism development. Additionally, the research posits that GSL could serve as a catalyst for promoting environmental stewardship in the realm of hotel management, thereby enriching the ongoing dialogue on sustainable leadership methodologies. Beyond theoretical implications, this research furnishes practical recommendations for managerial tactics and policy formulation, aiming to bridge the gap between theory and application. Furthermore, it beckons for future investigations that should be deeper into the nuances of sustainable leadership dynamics concerning environmental performance in the hospitality domain. By shedding light on the intricate interplay among GSL, GOC, and ENVP, this study not only expands the scholarly understanding but also offers valuable insights into effective leadership strategies for fostering sustainability in the hospitality industry .