Impact of responsible leadership on sustainable performance: a moderated mediation model

Abstract

Purpose

The increased interest of the industrial sector in sustainable concepts and leadership has lagged behind conceptual advancement. Leaders are increasingly being pushed to encourage sustainable performance. In order to examine the relationship between responsible leadership and sustainable performance, this research creates a model based on the logic of RL performance, with the concurrent mediation of epistemic motivation and moderating role of sustainable climate.

Design/methodology/approach

The current research analyzed a sample of 520 respondents from employees recruited from public sector organizations in Pakistan who were full-time employees in Punjab province in three waves with an interval of two weeks in each wave. To collect data, the scales are adapted from past studies that were relevant to this study. The data received from the survey questionnaire are analyzed using SEM.

Findings

The study's findings demonstrate a significant as well as positive association between RL and SP with β = 0.298 and p < 0.001. Further, a significant mediating impact of epistemic motivation on the relationship between RL and sustainable performance with β = 0.238 and p < 0.001 is also evident. Epistemic motivation is an important mediator because transparency in knowledge held massive importance to get sustainable outcomes and is predominant factor to exert his/her efforts.

Practical implications

The research shows some theoretical and practical implications. To achieve the aims of sustainable development, organizations should first encourage responsible leadership behaviors. By establishing a shared vision and goals, top management can encourage responsible leadership techniques within their jurisdiction. In order to encourage responsible leadership behaviors, organizations should seek to create capacity at both organizational and social levels. It will change employee attitudes and provide the knowledge needed to achieve sustainable development objectives.

Originality/value

This is one of the initial studies to examine the relationship between responsible leadership and sustainable performance. Further, the concept of social exchange theory is used to understand sustainable performance from a comprehensive standpoint.

Citation

Huo, C., Safdar, M.A. and Ahmed, M. (2023), "Impact of responsible leadership on sustainable performance: a moderated mediation model", Kybernetes, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/K-03-2023-0342