Green inclusive leadership, promotion focus, employee gender and green creativity

Purpose Drawing on the regulatory focus theory and social role theory, this study aims to investigate the relationship between green inclusive leadership and employee green creativity through the mediating mechanism of employee promotion focus. Additionally, it examines the moderating role of employee gender in the green inclusive leadership–employee promotion focus link. Design/methodology/approach Survey data collected from 282 matched supervisor–employee dyads in tourism and hospitality firms in Nigeria were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. Findings Results indicate that green inclusive leadership positively influences employee promotion focus. Employee gender moderates this relationship, such that the effect is stronger for female employees than male employees. Furthermore, employee promotion focus mediated the positive relationship between green inclusive leadership and employee green creativity. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature on the relationship between green inclusive leadership and green creativity. Specifically, this study highlights the important but underexplored role of employee promotion focus in this relationship. Employee gender amplifies the positive relationship between green inclusive leadership and employee promotion focus. Organizations can adopt green inclusive leadership strategies, thereby facilitating the adoption of green initiatives that have a positive environmental impact.