FROM VALUES TO ACTION: EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF ETHICAL LEADERSHIP ON PROENVIRONMENTAL BEHAVIOR UTILIZING DUAL MEDITATION IN EGYPTIAN GREEN HOTELS

With increasing awareness of environmental issues, the contribution of leadership in shaping employees' behavior towards sustainability confirms greater importance. The present research investigates the impact of Ethical Leadership (EL) on Pro-environmental Behavior (PEB) among Egypt's green-certified hotels. It also explores the mediating roles of Ethical Climate (EC) and Environmental Awareness (EA) between EL and PEB. Data were collected from a sample of 421 employees who work in green hotels in Egypt. A designed questionnaire was used to collect responses. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the hypothesized intricate relationships. The results reveal that EL positively impact PEB (H1), EC (H2), and EA (H4). Additionally, EC was found to have a positive influence on PEB (H3), though it did not adequately mediate the EL-PEB relationship (H6 not supported). Alternatively, EA positively influences PEB (H5) and functions as an effective mediator between EL and PEB (H7 supported). These findings suggest that whereas EL remains key in affecting the development of an ethical work culture, its effect on environmentally responsible behavior is nearly completely mediated through heightened awareness among workers. This study contributes to the literature on sustainability and leadership by focusing on awareness as an underlying process. It also yields practical recommendations for hotel managers seeking to instill environmental stewardship through ethical leadership and soundly crafted awareness efforts.