GREEN TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP IN THE FUNCTION OF TOURISM DEVELOPMENT
Keywords:
green transformational leadership, green practices, tourism, green innovations
Abstract
Environmental protection is an inseparable part of tourism development. The modern business environment is increasingly forcing tourism industry stakeholders to implement green practices and protect the environment. Considering the advantages and disadvantages of working conditions in tourism, it is not easy to ensure the implementation of these practices among employees. In this process, the leader plays a key role, with green transformational leadership highlighted in the literature as a suitable solution for the successful implementation of green practices. The paper aims to point out the importance, goals, and benefits of implementing green transformational leadership as a modified leadership style that should contribute to greater employee motivation in implementing green practices in tourism. The paper uses the methods of induction and deduction. In conclusion, green transformational leadership is a suitable mechanism for motivating employees to implement green practices at work and create a green, creative environment.
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References
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Xin, C., & Wang, Y. (2023). Green intellectual capital and green competitive advantage in hotels: The role of environmental product innovation and green transformational leadership. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 57, 148–157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhtm.2023.10.001
Ali Hussain, M., Ali, S., Ali, S., Goh, G., Saif, N., Khan, S. U. (2025). Redefining the concept of green transformational leadership through psychometric analysis: Evidence from educational setup of developing country prospective. Asia Pacific Management Review, 30(3), 100354, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmrv.2024.100354
Aslam, N., Sahibzada, U. F., Ahmad, M. S. & Stevenson, A. (2024). Green transformational leadership theory and practice in Italian luxury hotels: toward environmental performance and green image. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 74(7), 2269–2300. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPPM-06-2024-0364.
Bjekić, R. & Strugar Jelača, M. (2020). Uloga transformacionog liderstva u istraživačko-razvojnim projektnim timovima – predlog istraživačkog okvira. Ekonomski pogledi, 22(2), 109–123. https://doi.org/
10.5937/ekopog2002109b
Chen, Y. S., & Chang, C. H. (2013). The determinants of green product development performance: green dynamic capabilities, green transformational leadership, and green creativity. Journal of Business Ethics, 116(1), 107–119. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-012-1452-x
Filimonau, V., Matute, J., Kubal-Czerwinska, M., & Mika, M. (2024). How to encourage food waste reduction in kitchen brigades: The underlying role of ‘green’ transformational leadership and employees’ self-efficacy. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 59, 139–148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhtm.2024.04.005
Janjua, N. A., SHI, D., & Sahibzada, U. F. (2024). Harnessing green innovation via green transformational leadership in Italian luxury hotels: Key strategic takeaways. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 120, 103739, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/
j.ijhm.2024.103739
Lu, Y., Bashir, H., Ayub, A. & Akhtar, F. (2024). Green Knowledge Sharing and Green Innovative Behavior: The Roles of Transformational Leadership and Green Shared Vision. Journal of the Knowledge Economy, 16(5), 15607–15631. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-024-02377-y
Mahran, K., Ibrahim, B., Albarrak, H., & Elamer, A. (2025). Green workforce in tourism and hospitality: A systematic review and future research agenda. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 131, 104325, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2025.104325
Mo, Z., Tingchi Liu, M., & Wai Lai, I. (2025). The dynamic joint roles of green human resource management and environmentally specific transformational leadership on team green behavior. Tourism Management, 107, 105046, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/
j.tourman.2024.105046
Rahi, S., Ahmad, M. B., Syed, A., Usman, M. & Sheikh, S. F. (2025). Inspecting the role of environmental specific servant leadership and green transformational leadership on sustainable tourism: empirical evidence from emerging market. Center for Management Science Research, 3(8), 325–335. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18059255
Sanusi, I., & Farida Sopiah, I. (2023). Green transformational leadership: Systematic literature review. Asian Journal of Economics and Business Management, 2(2), 511–521. https://doi.org/10.53402/
ajebm.v2i2.314
Sharma, S., Albishri, N., Zafar, H., Singhal, A. B., & Singh, G. (2025). Shades of green and transformational leadership: Predicting employees’ green creativity and green work engagement at work. Acta Psychologica, 259, 105393, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/
j.actpsy.2025.105393
Singh, S. K., Del Giudice, M., 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, 119762, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2019.119762
Subas, E., Karatepe, O., Rezapouraghdam, H., & Kim, T. T. (2026). Green transformational leadership and green recovery performance: Green adaptability and green creativity as mediators and emotional intelligence as a moderator. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 133, 104508, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/
j.ijhm.2025.104508
UN Tourism. (2026). Tourism results – annual. Retrieved March 9, 2026, from https://www.untourism.int/tourism-data/un-tourism-tourism-dashboard
Xin, C., & Wang, Y. (2023). Green intellectual capital and green competitive advantage in hotels: The role of environmental product innovation and green transformational leadership. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 57, 148–157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhtm.2023.10.001
Published
2026-10-16
How to Cite
Ognjanović, J., Pantić, N., & Damnjanović, M. (2026). GREEN TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP IN THE FUNCTION OF TOURISM DEVELOPMENT. Tourism International Scientific Conference Vrnjačka Banja - TISC, 9(1), 161-170. https://doi.org/10.52370/TISC26161JO
Section
Articles
