Perceived leader resource favoritism and employee energy-wasteful behaviors in tourism and hospitality organizations: The mediating role of resource competition anxiety and the moderating effect of sustainability policy clarity

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Published: Nov 16, 2025
DOI: https://royaliiteglobal.com/topic?id=346
Keywords:
Perceived leader resource favoritism, Resource competition anxiety, Employee energy-wasteful behaviors, Sustainability policy clarity, Vision 2030, SDGs, Tourism & hospitality sustainability, Conservation of Resources Theory, Environmental sustainab

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Abdelrahman A. A. Abdelghani
Applied College, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
Hebatallah Ahmed
Applied College, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

As a part of these complex global sustainability challenges, this study?aims to examine how leader resource favoritism (LRF) perception by employees attenuates energy-wasting behaviors through cognition and affect stereotypes at the destinations where tourism/hospitality business activities are conducted. It is inspired by the Conservation of Resources Theory and aims to explore the psychological mechanism of resource scarcity competition?anxiety and sustainability policy clarity as a moderator. Research will be strategically aligned with Nationally important priorities for R&D&I in the Kingdom, such as long-term environment sustainability and energy?efficiency, that are outlined under Vision 2030 and that contributes to UN Sustainable Development SDG Goal: 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), Goal: 8 (Decent Work),SDG Goal: 12 (Responsible Consumption) respectively. The?sample consisted of 482, the data were collected in hotels and tour operators and food & beverage service Employees within Saudi Arabia using two-wave survey design. Hypotheses testing was carried out using?partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Results?highlight the direct and indirect (through resource competition anxiety) influence of perceived leader resource favoritism on employee energy-wasteful behavior. Secondly,?when it comes to policy commitment on sustainability, the positive chains are substantially lessened. These findings emphasize the significance of sustainable leadership and transparent communication with regard to environmental issues in order to decrease?anxiety as well as prevent such waste of resources based on that anxiety, with practical implications elevating an organization’s sustainability, pursuant to Saudi Arabia’s national aspiration related to country greening/smart economy.