The Role of Green Human Resources Management Practices in Improving the Environmental Performance through Transformational Leadership in Egyptian Hotels

Youssef, Sameh; Abdelrahman, Mohamed; Zeina, Mohammed; Ibrahim, Moataz Bellah Farid

doi:10.21608/jaauth.2025.422860.1707

The Role of Green Human Resources Management Practices in Improving the Environmental Performance through Transformational Leadership in Egyptian Hotels

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Suez Canal University

² کلیة السیاحة والفنادق - جامعة قناة السویس

³ Hotels studies department, faculty of tourism and hotels, Suez canal university

⁴ Hotel studies Department, Faculty of Tourism and Hotels, Suez Canal University

10.21608/jaauth.2025.422860.1707

Abstract

This study investigates the role of Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) practices in enhancing environmental performance under transformational leadership within Egyptian hotels. It addresses the growing environmental challenges facing the hospitality sector, including excessive resource consumption, rising emissions, and waste generation. The research focuses on four key dimensions of GHRM practices—green recruitment, green training, green performance appraisal, and green incentives and rewards—and examines transformational leadership as a mediating variable strengthening the relationship between GHRM and environmental performance.

A descriptive–analytical approach was employed, with data collected through 678 valid questionnaires administered to managers, department heads, and employees across 43 four- and five-star hotels in Sharm El-Sheikh. The results show that all dimensions of GHRM are positively associated with environmental performance, with green performance appraisal exerting the strongest influence, followed by green training, whereas green recruitment and green incentives demonstrated relatively lower effects. Furthermore, the findings underscore the pivotal mediating role of transformational leadership in amplifying the impact of GHRM practices on environmental performance.

The study recommends integrating GHRM practices into hotels’ operational policies, linking performance appraisals and incentive systems to environmental achievements, and adopting transformational leadership as a strategic approach to foster a green organizational culture and achieve sustainability—ultimately strengthening the sustainable competitiveness of the Egyptian hotel sector.

Keywords