ENHANCING ORGANIZATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH GREEN HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF WORK ENGAGEMENT

Mohamad Iwan Kusnandar, Tibrani Tibrani, Rona Tanjung, Surya Kusumah, Mohd Asmadi

Abstract


This study examines the influence of Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) and Transformational Leadership on Organizational Sustainability, with Work Engagement as a mediating variable in the context of international resort hotels in Lagoi, Bintan, Indonesia. Grounded in Ability-Motivation-Opportunity Theory, Social Exchange Theory, and Resource-Based View, this research employed a quantitative approach using survey data collected from 150 employees and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results reveal that GHRM and Transformational Leadership significantly and positively affect Work Engagement and Organizational Sustainability. Work Engagement was also found to have a significant positive effect on Organizational Sustainability. Furthermore, mediation analysis confirmed that Work Engagement partially mediates the relationships between GHRM and Organizational Sustainability as well as between Transformational Leadership and Organizational Sustainability. The findings highlight that sustainability performance in the hospitality sector can be strengthened not only through green HR practices and transformational leadership, but also through fostering employee psychological engagement. This study contributes to the sustainability and hospitality management literature by offering an integrated model linking organizational practices, leadership, and employee engagement to sustainability outcomes, while also providing practical implications for managers seeking to enhance long-term sustainability performance through people-centered strategies.
Keywords : Green Human Resource Management, Transformational Leadership, Organizational Sustainability, Work Engagement

Full Text:

PDF

References


Abdo, S. S., & Edgar, D. (2025). Nurturing green behaviour: Exploring managerial competencies for effective green human resource management in hotels. Cleaner Production Letters, 9, 100102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clpl.2025.100102

Al-Omoush, K. S., Ribeiro-Navarrete, S., Lassala, C., & Skare, M. (2022). Networking and knowledge creation: Social capital and collaborative innovation in responding to the COVID-19 crisis. Journal of Innovation and Knowledge, 7(2), 100181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2022.100181

Aleksić, B., Grbović, A., Milović, L., Hemer, A., & Aleksić, V. (2019). Jo ur Pr pr oo f. Engineering Failure Analysis, 104165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abmr.2026.100003

Ángeles López-Cabarcos, M., Vázquez-Rodríguez, P., & Quiñoá-Piñeiro, L. M. (2022). An approach to employees’ job performance through work environmental variables and leadership behaviours. Journal of Business Research, 140, 361–369. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.11.006

Appiah Kissi, E., Segbenya, M., & Oti Amoah, J. (2024). Environmental sustainability among workers in Ghana: The role of green human resource management. Heliyon, 10(13), e33380. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33380

Arora, A., Arora, A. S., Sivakumar, K., & Burke, G. (2020). Strategic sustainable purchasing, environmental collaboration, and organizational sustainability performance: the moderating role of supply base size. Supply Chain Management, 25(6), 709–728. https://doi.org/10.1108/SCM-07-2019-0284

Bakker, A. B., Hetland, J., Kjellevold Olsen, O., & Espevik, R. (2023). Daily transformational leadership: A source of inspiration for follower performance? European Management Journal, 41(5), 700–708. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emj.2022.04.004

Bari, M. W., Khan, Q., & Virgilio, F. Di. (2025). Knowledge donation, hoarding, and hiding behaviors of high performers: Mediation role of deviant silence. European Research on Management and Business Economics, 31(2), 100276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iedeen.2025.100276

Chaudhuri, R., Chatterjee, S., Mariani, M. M., & Wamba, S. F. (2024). Assessing the influence of emerging technologies on organizational data driven culture and innovation capabilities: A sustainability performance perspective. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 200(December 2023), 123165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2023.123165

Decuypere, A., & Schaufeli, W. (2020). Leadership and work engagement: Exploring explanatory mechanisms. German Journal of Human Resource Management, 34(1), 69–95. https://doi.org/10.1177/2397002219892197

El Baroudi, S., Cai, W., Khapova, S. N., & Jiang, Y. (2023). Green human resource management and team performance in hotels: The role of green team behaviors. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 110(May 2022), 103436. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2023.103436

Farrukh, M., Ansari, N., Raza, A., Wu, Y., & Wang, H. (2022). Fostering employee’s pro-environmental behavior through green transformational leadership, green human resource management and environmental knowledge. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 179(August 2021), 121643. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2022.121643

Farrukh, M., Ying, C. W., & Mansori, S. (2017). Organizational commitment: an empirical analysis of personality traits. Journal of Work-Applied Management, 9(1), 18–34. https://doi.org/10.1108/jwam-12-2016-0026

Ferraro, G., Scandurra, G., & Thomas, A. (2026). The emergence of innovation capabilities supporting technological shifts among SMEs: A mediated moderated model. Journal of Innovation and Knowledge, 11(October 2025), 100868. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2025.100868

Greenier, V., Derakhshan, A., & Fathi, J. (2021). Emotion regulation and psychological well-being in teacher work engagement: A case of British and Iranian English language teachers. System, 97, 102446. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2020.102446

Guan, X., & Frenkel, S. (2019). How perceptions of training impact employee performance: Evidence from two Chinese manufacturing firms. Personnel Review, 48(1), 163–183. https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-05-2017-0141

Gupta, A., & Jangra, S. (2024). Green human resource management and work engagement: Linking HRM performance attributions. Sustainable Futures, 7(September 2023), 100174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sftr.2024.100174

Haider, S. A., Akbar, A., Aman-Ullah, A., Poulova, P., & Tehseen, S. (2026). Green transformational leadership as a catalyst for sustainable environmental performance through green HRM and innovation. Discover Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-02497-8

Hair, J. F., Howard, M. C., & Nitzl, C. (2020). Assessing measurement model quality in PLS-SEM using confirmatory composite analysis. Journal of Business Research, 109, 101–110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.11.069

Hauff, S., Richter, N. F., Sarstedt, M., & Ringle, C. M. (2024). Importance and performance in PLS-SEM and NCA: Introducing the combined importance-performance map analysis (cIPMA). Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 78(January), 103723. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2024.103723

Jensen, M., Potočnik, K., & Chaudhry, S. (2020). A mixed-methods study of CEO transformational leadership and firm performance. European Management Journal, 38(6), 836–845. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emj.2020.05.004

Karatepe, O. M., Rezapouraghdam, H., & Hassannia, R. (2020). Job insecurity, work engagement and their effects on hotel employees’ non-green and nonattendance behaviors. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 87(April 2019), 102472. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2020.102472

Katou, A. A., & Gianni, M. (2026). Green leadership’s role in developing organizational sustainability: A multilevel structural equations model. Strategic Business Research, 2(1), 100051. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbr.2026.100051

Kaur Bagga, S., Gera, S., & Haque, S. N. (2023). The mediating role of organizational culture: Transformational leadership and change management in virtual teams. Asia Pacific Management Review, 28(2), 120–131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmrv.2022.07.003

Kim, W. G., McGinley, S., Choi, H. M., & Agmapisarn, C. (2020). Hotels’ environmental leadership and employees’ organizational citizenship behavior. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 87(February), 102375. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2019.102375

Kim, Y. J., Kim, W. G., Choi, H. M., & Phetvaroon, K. (2019). The effect of green human resource management on hotel employees’ eco-friendly behavior and environmental performance. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 76, 83–93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2018.04.007

Kiruthika, A., & Geetha, R. (2025). Examining product innovation in women-led enterprises: Linking the influential role of innovation orientation, family support and risk management using Smart PLS-SEM. International Journal of Innovation Studies, 10(2), 100170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijis.2025.12.001

Koval, O., & Hansen, H. (2019). Working it out together: a suggested model for vacation-related decision-making in couples. Scandinavian Journal of Hospitality and Tourism, 19(4–5), 354–370. https://doi.org/10.1080/15022250.2019.1670725

Li, W., Bhutto, T. A., Xuhui, W., Maitlo, Q., Zafar, A. U., & Ahmed Bhutto, N. (2020). Unlocking employees’ green creativity: The effects of green transformational leadership, green intrinsic, and extrinsic motivation. Journal of Cleaner Production, 255, 120229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120229

Ly, B. (2025). Beyond conventional HRM: Catalyzing circular economy performance with green practices and inclusive leadership. Asia Pacific Management Review, 30(4), 100373. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmrv.2025.100373

Memon, M. A., Salleh, R., Mirza, M. Z., Cheah, J. H., Ting, H., Ahmad, M. S., & Tariq, A. (2021). Satisfaction matters: the relationships between HRM practices, work engagement and turnover intention. International Journal of Manpower, 42(1), 21–50. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJM-04-2018-0127

Minh, T., Luu, N., Thi, T., Thi, P., & Hang, T. (2026). ScienceDirect Sustainability-oriented management : The role of green human resource management and innovation in driving sustainable performance , based on Delphi and Analytic Hierarchy Process. Procedia Computer Science, 277, 2447–2456. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2026.02.281

Monje-Amor, A., Abeal Vázquez, J. P., & Faíña, J. A. (2020). Transformational leadership and work engagement: Exploring the mediating role of structural empowerment. European Management Journal, 38(1), 169–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emj.2019.06.007

Mousa, S. K., & Othman, M. (2020). The impact of green human resource management practices on sustainable performance in healthcare organisations: A conceptual framework. Journal of Cleaner Production, 243, 118595. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.118595

Navarro-García, A., Ledesma-Chaves, P., Gil-Cordero, E., & De-Juan-Vigaray, M. D. (2024). Intangible resources, static and dynamic capabilities and perceived competitive advantage in exporting firms. A PLS-SEM/fsQCA approach. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 198(May 2023), 123001. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2023.123001

Nguyen, T. M., Malik, A., & Budhwar, P. (2022). Knowledge hiding in organizational crisis: The moderating role of leadership. Journal of Business Research, 139(September 2021), 161–172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.09.026

Ogutu, H., El Archi, Y., & Dénes Dávid, L. (2023). Current trends in sustainable organization management: A bibliometric analysis. Oeconomia Copernicana, 14(1), 11–45. https://doi.org/10.24136/oc.2023.001

Ozturk, A., Karatepe, O. M., & Okumus, F. (2021). The effect of servant leadership on hotel employees’ behavioral consequences: Work engagement versus job satisfaction. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 97(June), 102994. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2021.102994

Pham, N. T., Tučková, Z., & Chiappetta Jabbour, C. J. (2019). Greening the hospitality industry: How do green human resource management practices influence organizational citizenship behavior in hotels? A mixed-methods study. Tourism Management, 72, 386–399. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2018.12.008

Pinzone, M., Guerci, M., Lettieri, E., & Huisingh, D. (2019). Effects of ‘green’ training on pro-environmental behaviors and job satisfaction: Evidence from the Italian healthcare sector. Journal of Cleaner Production, 226, 221–232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.04.048

Piwowar-Sulej, K., & Iqbal, Q. (2023). Leadership styles and sustainable performance: A systematic literature review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 382(September 2022), 134600. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.134600

Pratiwi, I., Saefudin, A., Sari, G. I., Maliki, B. I., Fauzi, Soenyono, Basrowi, & Nuryanto, U. W. (2025). Green human capital and organizational performance: The role of employee environmental awareness and sustainable innovation in achieving organizational sustainability. Innovation and Green Development, 4(3), 100244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.igd.2025.100244

Rubel, M. R. B., Kee, D. M. H., & Rimi, N. N. (2021). Green human resource management and supervisor pro-environmental behavior: The role of green work climate perceptions. Journal of Cleaner Production, 313(June), 127669. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.127669

Sahin, A., Elci, M., Tatoglu, E., Zaim, S., & Sahin, A. (2026). Generation Z’s journey from value consciousness to store loyalty: Mediating roles of consumer satisfaction and store trust in private label retailing in an emerging economy. European Research on Management and Business Economics, 32(1), 100303. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iedeen.2026.100303

Sánchez-García, E., Martínez-Falcó, J., Marco-Lajara, B., & Zakimova, A. (2025). Achieving environmentally responsible production through green managerial awareness, human resource management and employee behavior. Journal of Environmental Management, 373(August 2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.123739

Santos, A. S., Nesto, M. T. R., & Verwaal, E. (2018). Does cultural capital matter for individual job performance? A large-scale survey of the impact of cultural, social and psychological capital on individual performance in Brazil. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 34(1), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPPM-05-2017-0110

Sarstedt, M., Hair, J. F., Nitzl, C., Ringle, C. M., & Howard, M. C. (2020). Beyond a tandem analysis of SEM and PROCESS: Use of PLS-SEM for mediation analyses! International Journal of Market Research, 62(3), 288–299. https://doi.org/10.1177/1470785320915686

Sarwar, H., Ishaq, M. I., Amin, A., & Ahmed, R. (2020). Ethical leadership, work engagement, employees’ well-being, and performance: a cross-cultural comparison. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 28(12), 2008–2026. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2020.1788039

Schaufeli, W. B. (2020). Herramienta de evaluación del síndrome de burnout (BAT): desarrollo, validez y fiabilidad. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 1, 1–21.

Segbenya, M., Appiah Kissi, E., & Oti Amoah, J. (2024). Green human resource management and environmental sustainability in a developing economy: Examining the mediation and moderation effect of employee personal norms and sex. Social Sciences and Humanities Open, 10(March), 101016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2024.101016

Sheikh, A. A., Shan, A., Hassan, N. M., Khan, S. N., & AbdAlatti, A. (2024). Impact of green human resource management practices on hotels environmental performance: A mediation and moderation analysis. Sustainable Futures, 8(November), 100409. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sftr.2024.100409

Shoaib, M., Nawal, A., Zámečník, R., Korsakienė, R., & Rehman, A. U. (2022). Go green! Measuring the factors that influence sustainable performance. Journal of Cleaner Production, 366(November 2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.132959

Singh, S. K., Giudice, M. Del, Chierici, R., & Graziano, D. (2020). Green innovation and environmental performance: The role of green transformational leadership and green human resource management. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 150(October 2019), 119762. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2019.119762

Soderstrom, S. B., & Weber, K. (2020). Organizational Structure from Interaction: Evidence from Corporate Sustainability Efforts. Administrative Science Quarterly, 65(1), 226–271. https://doi.org/10.1177/0001839219836670

Tandon, A., Dhir, A., Madan, P., Srivastava, S., & Nicolau, J. L. (2023). Green and non-green outcomes of green human resource management (GHRM) in the tourism context. Tourism Management, 98(October 2022), 104765. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2023.104765

Vadithe, R. N., Rajput, R. C., & Kesari, B. (2025). Impact of Green HRM implementation on organizational sustainability in IT sector: A mediation analysis. Sustainable Futures, 9(February), 100507. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sftr.2025.100507

Wang, I. Y., & Huang, Y. S. (2025). Exploring the evolution of green human resource management: A main path analysis. Asia Pacific Management Review, xxxx, 100411. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmrv.2025.100411

Yang, M., & Li, Z. (2023). The influence of green human resource management on employees’ green innovation behavior: The role of green organizational commitment and knowledge sharing. Heliyon, 9(11), e22161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22161

Zheng, Y., Gao, Y. (Lisa), & Thomas, N. (2025). Enhancing tourism and hospitality organizations’ ESG via transformational leadership and employee pro-environmental behavior: The effect of organizational culture. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 124(August 2024), 103970. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2024.103970




DOI: https://doi.org/10.31846/jae.v14i2.1089

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

e-Jurnal Apresiasi Ekonnomi Indexed by: