The Influence of Inclusive Leadership on Gen Z Employee Work Engagement with Affective Organizational Commitment as a Mediator and Job Satisfaction as a Moderator across Five Tea Companies in Sri Lanka

Inclusive Leadership (IL) has gained increasing recognition in organizational studies; however, its impact on Generation Z (Gen Z) employee engagement remains underexplored, particularly in the Sri Lankan tea industry. This study examined the influence of IL on Gen Z employee work engagement (EWE), with Affective Organizational Commitment (AOC) as a mediator and Job Satisfaction (JS) as a moderator. Utilizing a survey-based quantitative approach, data were collected from 146 Gen Z employees across five tea companies in the Colombo District, Sri Lanka. Analysis was conducted using SPSS and Hayes’ PROCESS macro. The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between IL and EWE, with AOC acting as a partial mediator. Additionally, JS significantly moderated the IL–EWE relationship, such that higher job satisfaction slightly enhanced the strength of the relationship. These results highlight the importance of fostering inclusive leadership and strengthening affective organizational commitment to drive engagement among Gen Z employees. The study offers practical insights for leaders and organizations aiming to strengthen employee retention and performance through inclusive and satisfying workplace environments.