SavedAdd your journal

Journals / Journal of Tourism Theory and Research / 2026 / Volume: 12 Issue: 2

Integrating green organizational capabilities and AI readiness for sustainable tourism performance: The mediating role of green innovative work behavior

Qingxia Gao(Arizona State University, Tempe, USA)0009-0009-5927-6064
Pages
—
Publication Date
2026-09-08
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The findings reveal that green human resource management, big data analytics capability, and environmental knowledge management positively influence green innovative work behavior, which, in turn, significantly enhances sustainable tourism performance.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This study investigates how green human resource management, big data analytics capability, and environmental knowledge management contribute to sustainable tourism performance through green innovative work behavior.
📊
Key Findings & Data:Drawing on the Dynamic Capabilities View and the Natural Resource-Based View, data were collected from 457 employees working in tourism organizations and analyzed using PLS-SEM.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:The findings reveal that green human resource management, big data analytics capability, and environmental knowledge management positively influence green innovative work behavior, which, in turn, significantly enhances sustainable tourism performance.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Green human resource management · Big data analytics capability · Environmental knowledge management

Abstract

This study investigates how green human resource management, big data analytics capability, and environmental knowledge management contribute to sustainable tourism performance through green innovative work behavior. Drawing on the Dynamic Capabilities View and the Natural Resource-Based View, data were collected from 457 employees working in tourism organizations and analyzed using PLS-SEM. The findings reveal that green human resource management, big data analytics capability, and environmental knowledge management positively influence green innovative work behavior, which, in turn, significantly enhances sustainable tourism performance. Green innovative work behavior also mediates the relationships between the three organizational capabilities and sustainable tourism performance. Furthermore, AI readiness strengthens the positive effect of green innovative work behavior on sustainable tourism performance. The study highlights the importance of integrating human resource, analytical, knowledge-based, and technological capabilities to foster environmental innovation and achieve superior sustainability outcomes in tourism organizations.

🔖

Cite This Article

Gao, Q. (2026). Integrating green organizational capabilities and AI readiness for sustainable tourism performance: The mediating role of green innovative work behavior. Journal of Tourism Theory and Research, Volume: 12 Issue: 2. https://doi.org/10.24288/jttr.1971870

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (73)

  1. Abou-Shouk, M., Elbaz, A. M., Zouair, N., Aburumman, A., & Bayoumy, M. (2025). Cross-country insights into sustainable tourism performance and local community support for sustainable development. Tourism and Hospitality Research, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1177/14673584251356779
  2. Ahmad, F., Hossain, M. B., Mustafa, K., Ejaz, F., Khawaja, K. F., & Dunay, A. (2023). Green HRM practices and knowledge sharing improve environmental performance by raising employee commitment to the environment. Sustainability, 15(6), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15065040
  3. Ahmad, I., Donia, M. B. L., & Shahzad, K. (2019). Impact of corporate social responsibility attributions on employees' creative performance: The mediating role of psychological safety. Ethics & Behavior, 29(6), 490–509. https://doi.org/10.1080/ 10508422.2018.1501566
  4. Al-Romeedy, B. S., & Alharethi, T. (2024). Sustainable tourism performance through green talent management: The mediating power of green entrepreneurship and climate. Sustainability, 16(22), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16229900
  5. Albrecht, S. L., Dalton, J. R., & Kavadas, V. (2024). Employee pro-environmental proactive behavior: The influence of pro-environmental senior leader and organizational support, supervisor and co-worker support, and employee pro-environmental engagement. Frontiers in Sustainability, 5, 1–16. https://doi.org/ 10.3389/frsus.2024.1455556
  6. Alkaraan, F., Elmarzouky, M., Hussainey, K., Venkatesh, V. G., Shi, Y., & Gulko, N. (2024). Reinforcing green business strategies with Industry 4.0 and governance towards sustainability: Natural-resource-based view and dynamic capability. Business Strategy and the Environment, 33(4), 3588–3606.
  7. Amrutha, V. N., & Geetha, S. N. (2020). A systematic review on green human resource management: Implications for social sustainability. Journal of Cleaner Production, 247, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119131
  8. Ashbourne, A. C. (2026). How artificial intelligence fosters student creativity in higher education: Evidence from a moderated mediation model. International Journal of Social Sciences and Education Research, 12(1), 29–43. https://doi.org/10.24289/ ijsser.1771902
  9. Asonge, L. (2026). Artificial intelligence readiness and service innovation performance in hospitality: The role of employee digital self-efficacy and psychological safety. International Journal of Social Sciences and Education Research, 12(1), 16–28. https://doi.org/10.24289/ijsser.1772005
  10. Awan, F. H., Dunnan, L., Jamil, K., & Gul, R. F. (2023). Stimulating environmental performance via green human resource management, green transformational leadership, and green innovation: A mediation-moderation model. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 30(2), 2958–2976. https://doi.org /10.1007/s11356-022-22424-y
  11. Awwad Al-Shammari, A. S., Alshammrei, S., Nawaz, N., & Tayyab, M. (2022). Green human resource management and sustainable performance with the mediating role of green innovation: A perspective of the new technological era. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 10, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.3389/ fenvs.2022.901235
  12. Barreto, I. (2010). Dynamic capabilities: A review of past research and an agenda for the future. Journal of Management, 36(1), 256–280.
  13. Bombiak, E., & Marciniuk-Kluska, A. (2018). Green human resource management as a tool for the sustainable development of enterprises: Polish young company experience. Sustainability, 10(6), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10061739
  14. Chaudhary, R. (2019). Green human resource management in Indian automobile industry. Journal of Global Responsibility, 10(2), 161–175. https://doi.org/10.1108/JGR-12-2018-0084
  15. 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
  16. Chen, Y. S., Lai, S. B., & Wen, C. T. (2006). The influence of green innovation performance on corporate advantage in Taiwan. Journal of Business Ethics, 67(4), 331–339. https://doi.org/10. 1007/s10551-006-9025-5
  17. Cheng, T. M., & Wu, H. C. (2015). How do environmental knowledge, environmental sensitivity, and place attachment affect environmentally responsible behavior? An integrated approach for sustainable island tourism. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 23(4), 557–576.
  18. Demir, M. (2025). Integrating artificial intelligence into decision processes: A dual role of psychological ownership and emotional intelligence. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2025. 2595308
  19. Demir, M. (2026). Encouraging green: How gamified HRM fosters employees' eco-friendly behavior through organizational mechanisms. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.70439
  20. Demir, M., Demir, Ş. Ş., & Yaşar, E. (2022). Big data and innovative organizational performance: Evidence from a moderated-mediated model. Creativity and Innovation Management, 31(4), 696–709. https://doi.org/10.1111/caim.12525
  21. Demir, M., Tajeddini, K., & Gamage, T. C. (2025). Big data analytical capabilities and tech-business model innovation: A moderated mediation model. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHTT-12-2024-0852
  22. Demir, Ş. Ş., & Demir, M. (2025). Driving AI-enabled transformation in small and medium tourism enterprises: The strategic and investment roles of decision makers. Tourism Management Perspectives, 59, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2025. 101428
  23. Demirağ, F. (2025). The impact of AI-supported marketing capabilities and analytics on SMEs' customer agility and marketing performance. International Journal of Social Sciences and Education Research, 11(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.24289/ijsser.1601570
  24. Dibattista, I., Berdicchia, D., Mazzardo, E., & Masino, G. (2025). Green norms in the workplace to promote environmental sustainability: The positive effect on green innovative work behaviors and person-environment relationship. Frontiers in Sustainability, 5, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.3389/frsus.2024.1506 804
  25. Dumont, J., Shen, J., & Deng, X. (2017). Effects of green HRM practices on employee workplace green behavior: The role of psychological green climate and employee green values. Human Resource Management, 56(4), 613–627. https://doi.org/ 10.1002/hrm.21792
  26. El-Kassar, A. N., & Singh, S. K. (2019). Green innovation and organizational performance: The influence of big data and the moderating role of management commitment and HR practices. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 144, 483–498. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2017.12.016
  27. Elizabeth, E., Prabowo, H., Bandur, A., & Setiowati, R. (2025). Harnessing green dynamic capabilities for sustainable tourism performance: The mediating role of green service innovation in Bali's tour and travel SMEs. Tourism and Hospitality, 6(3), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.3390/tourhosp6030156
  28. Gyensare, M. A., Adomako, S., & Amankwah-Amoah, J. (2024). Green HRM practices, employee well-being, and sustainable work behavior: Examining the moderating role of resource commitment. Business Strategy and the Environment, 33(4), 3129–3141. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3642
  29. Hafeez, M., Yasin, I., Zawawi, D., Odilova, S., & Bataineh, H. A. (2024). Unleashing the power of green innovations: The role of organizational ambidexterity and green culture in achieving corporate sustainability. European Journal of Innovation Management, 28(6), 2304–2336. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-04-2023-0274
  30. Hair, J. F., Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., & Anderson, R. E. (2019). Multivariate data analysis. Cengage Learning EMEA.
  31. Hair, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2022). A primer on partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) (3rd ed.). Sage.
  32. Hair, J. F., Sarstedt, M., Hopkins, L., & Kuppelwieser, V. G. (2014). Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). European Business Review, 26(2), 106–121. https://doi.org/10.1108/EBR-10-2013-0128
  33. Hameed, Z., Khan, I. U., Islam, T., Sheikh, Z., & Naeem, R. M. (2020). Do green HRM practices influence employees' environmental performance? International Journal of Manpower, 41(7), 1061–1079. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJM-08-2019-0407
  34. Harman, H. H. (1976). Modern factor analysis (3rd ed.). University of Chicago Press.
  35. Hart, S. L. (1995). A natural-resource-based view of the firm. Academy of Management Review, 20(4), 986–1014.
  36. Hart, S. L., & Dowell, G. (2011). Invited editorial: A natural-resource-based view of the firm: Fifteen years after. Journal of Management, 37(5), 1464–1479.
  37. Helfat, C. E., & Peteraf, M. A. (2009). Understanding dynamic capabilities: Progress along a developmental path. Strategic Organization, 7(1), 91–102.
  38. Henriques, I., Mouro, C., & Duarte, A. P. (2024). Green organizational climate's promotion of managers' organizational citizenship behavior for the environment: Evidence from the Portuguese hospitality context. Sustainability, 16(22), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16229611
  39. Henseler, J., Hubona, G., & Ray, P. A. (2016). Using PLS path modeling in new technology research: Updated guidelines. Industrial Management & Data Systems, 116(1), 2–20.
  40. Hu, X., Khan, S. M., Huang, S., Abbas, J., Matei, M. C., & Badulescu, D. (2022). Employees' green enterprise motivation and green creative process engagement and their impact on green creative performance. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(10), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19105983
  41. Jia, J., Liu, H., Chin, T., & Hu, D. (2019). The continuous mediating effects of GHRM on employees' green passion via green organizational culture and green knowledge sharing. Journal of Business Ethics, 159(4), 987–1007. https://doi.org/10.1007/s 10551-018-3861-8
  42. Khan, K., Shams, M. S., Khan, Q., Akbar, S., & Niazi, M. M. (2022). Relationship among green human resource management, green knowledge sharing, green commitment, and green behavior: A moderated mediation model. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 1–22. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.924492
  43. Khan, M. H., & Muktar, S. N. (2023). Green employee empowerment: The missing linchpin between green HRM and sustainable organizational performance. Journal of Cleaner Production, 434, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.139812
  44. Khaskhely, M. K., Qazi, S. W., Khan, N. R., Hashmi, T., & Chang, A. A. R. (2022). Understanding the impact of green human resource management practices and dynamic sustainable capabilities on corporate sustainable performance: Evidence from the manufacturing sector. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.844488
  45. Kim, M. S., & Stepchenkova, S. (2020). Altruistic values and environmental knowledge as triggers of pro-environmental behavior among tourists. Current Issues in Tourism, 23(13), 1575–1580.
  46. 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
  47. Kock, N. (2015). Common method bias in PLS-SEM: A full collinearity assessment approach. International Journal of e-Collaboration, 11(4), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.4018/IJEC.201510 0101
  48. Kumari, M., Guleria, S., & Kumar, S. (2024). Sustainability in tourism and hospitality: Artificial intelligence role in eco-friendly practices in Indian hotels. Journal of Tourism Theory and Research, 10(2), 46–56. https://doi.org/10.24288/jttr. 1523976
  49. Li, M., Martínez-Del-Río, J., Li, P., & Guthrie, J. P. (2024). Exploring the antecedents of green human resource management: A path dependence perspective. Journal of Business Research, 181, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2024.114743
  50. Lin, Y. H., & Chen, Y. S. (2017). Determinants of green competitive advantage: The roles of green knowledge sharing, green dynamic capabilities, and green service innovation. Quality & Quantity, 51, 1663–1685. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-016-0358-6
  51. Luu, T. T. (2023). Can green creativity be fostered? Unfolding the roles of perceived green human resource management practices, dual mediation paths, and perceived environmentally-specific authentic leadership. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 34(6), 1246–1273. https://doi.org/ 10.1080/09585192.2021.1986107
  52. Mahran, K., Ibrahim, B. A., Albarrak, H., & Elamer, A. A. (2025). Green workforce in tourism and hospitality: A systematic review and future research agenda. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 131, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. ijhm.2025.104325
  53. Malik, S. Y., Cao, Y., Mughal, Y. H., Kundi, G. M., Mughal, M. H., & Ramayah, T. (2020). Pathways towards sustainability in organizations: Empirical evidence on the role of green human resource management practices and green intellectual capital. Sustainability, 12(8), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.3390/su1208 3228
  54. Martínez-Martínez, A., Cegarra-Navarro, J. G., & García-Pérez, A. (2015). Environmental knowledge management: A long-term enabler of tourism development. Tourism Management, 50, 281–291.
  55. Musgrave, J., McTiernan, C., Zheng, C., & Cooper, C. (2025). Trust as a mediator of pro-environmental knowledge transfer and behaviour in small and medium-sized tourism enterprises. Current Issues in Tourism, 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/136 83500.2025.2479868
  56. Pham, T. T., Tuan, L. T., Dao, T. T. A., Nguyen, T. T. L., & Phan, T. T. (2026). The role of green knowledge sharing in the indirect effects of green HRM on employee green behaviors via green empowerment: Evidence from Vietnam's hospitality and tourism sector. SAGE Open, 16(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10. 1177/21582440261420499
  57. Podsakoff, P. M., MacKenzie, S. B., Lee, J. Y., & Podsakoff, N. P. (2003). Common method biases in behavioral research: A critical review of the literature and recommended remedies. Journal of Applied Psychology, 88(5), 879–903. https://doi.org/10. 1037/0021-9010.88.5.879
  58. Rahman, M., Islam, F., Hossain, E., Rehman, M. Z., & Siddik, A. B. (2025). Environmental, social, and governance-driven sustainable tourism management in small and medium enterprises. International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology, 32(8), 988–1008. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504509. 2025.2576023
  59. Ren, S., Tang, G., & Jackson, S. E. (2018). Green human resource management research in emergence: A review and future directions. Asia Pacific Journal of Management, 35(3), 769–803. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10490-017-9532-1
  60. Robertson, J. L., & Barling, J. (2013). Greening organizations through leaders' influence on employees' pro-environmental behaviors. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 34(2), 176–194. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.1820
  61. Sailesh, B., & Reddy, K. (2024). Analyzing the impact of environmental strategies on corporate governance and long-term performance. Journal of Tourism Theory and Research, 10(1), 32–38. https://doi.org/10.24288/jttr.1446263
  62. Scuotto, V., Karagöz, D., Farronato, N., & Alon, I. (2024). A destination's personality as a factor in tourists' environmental knowledge management. Journal of Knowledge Management, 28(5), 1185–1203.
  63. Singh, S. K., & El-Kassar, A. N. (2019). Role of big data analytics in developing sustainable capabilities. Journal of Cleaner Production, 213, 1264–1273. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro. 2018.12.199
  64. Teece, D. J. (2016). Dynamic capabilities and entrepreneurial management in large organizations: Toward a theory of the (entrepreneurial) firm. European Economic Review, 86, 202–216.
  65. Teece, D.J. (2018). Dynamic capabilities as (workable) management systems theory. Journal of Management & Organization, 24(3), 359–368.
  66. Umrani, W. A., Channa, N. A., Yousaf, A., Ahmed, U., Pahi, M. H., & Ramayah, T. (2020). Greening the workforce to achieve environmental performance in hotel industry: A serial mediation model. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 44, 50–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhtm.2020.05.007
  67. Wang, S., Wang, J., Wang, Y., Yan, J., & Li, J. (2018). Environmental knowledge and consumers' intentions to visit green hotels: The mediating role of consumption values. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 35(9), 1261–1271.
  68. Wang, Y., & Yang, Y. (2021). Analyzing the green innovation practices based on sustainability performance indicators: A Chinese manufacturing industry case. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28(1), 1181–1203. https://doi.org/10. 1007/s11356-020-10531-7
  69. Yang, X. (2025). Digital transformation of tourism education: Technologies, opportunities, challenges, and future research agenda. Journal of Tourism Theory and Research, 11(1), 38–46. https://doi.org/10.24288/jttr.1516114
  70. Yaşar, E., Demir, M., & Cobanoglu, C. (2025). Big data analytic capabilities, intrapreneurship, and service innovation behaviors: A moderated mediation model. The Service Industries Journal, 45(9-10), 819–843. https://doi.org/10.1080/02642069.2024.2364816
  71. Yaşar, E., Demir, M., & Taşdemir, T. (2023). Embedded big data in packaged foods: examining consumer sentiment during the purchasing process post-COVID-19. British Food Journal, 125(10), 3623–3639. https://doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-12-2022-1124
  72. Zheng, A. (2026). Understanding digital business ecosystems in gastronomy: The mediating role of digital collaboration and the moderating effect of environmental turbulence. Journal of Tourism Theory and Research, 12(1), 52–63. https://doi.org/ 10.24288/jttr.1814295
  73. Yaşar, E., Demir, M., & Cobanoglu, C. (2025). Big data analytic capabilities, intrapreneurship, and service innovation behaviors: A moderated mediation model. The Service Industries Journal, 45(9-10), 819–843. https://doi.org/10.1080/02642069.2024.2364816