A multilevel investigation of the link between ethical leadership behaviour and employees green behaviour in the hospitality industry

Abstract

The present study develops a multilevel model that examines the effects of supervisory ethical leadership behavior at the team level on employees green behaviour mediated by CSR at the organisational level, employees well-being, and taking responsivity at the individual level. Data were collected from a sample of 936 supervisors and 2284 employees from 184 hotels in United Arab Emirates. Utilizing multisource data and multilevel path analysis, the results indicated that supervisory ethical leadership behavior has indirect effect on green behavior through CSR, employees-wellbeing and taking responsibility behavior. These findings provide important implications for ethical leadership-green behavior link by developing and validating a multilevel model empirically in the hospitality industry. • We develop a multilevel model that examines the effects of ethical leadership on green behavior. • Ethical leadership behavior at the team level is positively related to CSR at the individual level. • Employee well-being and taking responsibility mediate the link between CSR and green behaviour. • CSR has a positive cross-level influence on individual trust. • The link between ethical leadership behaviour and green behaviour is mediated by CSR and organisational trust.