Mapping leadership studies to the achievement of sustainable development goals in tourism and hospitality

A systematic literature review and future research agenda, with Giang Nguyen and Po-Hsin Lai.

Highlights

This systematic literature review aims to comprehensively understand how various leadership styles contribute to advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the tourism and hospitality industry, examining leadership impacts across multiple analytical levels. We conducted a systematic review of 232 empirical studies published until 2024, analyzing leadership roles across micro (individual), meso (organizational), and macro (community/industry) levels. Through thematic analysis, leadership impacts were categorized into five key dimensions: poverty alleviation and community development; peace, justice, equality, and well-being; environmental sustainability and climate action; innovation, governance, and crisis resilience; and economic growth and decent work. The review reveals how different leadership approaches can be strategically used to address specific SDGs within tourism and hospitality contexts. Significant research gaps were identified, particularly regarding leadership contributions to poverty reduction, gender equality, and environmental protection at the macro level. The analysis demonstrates the multi-dimensional nature of the role of leadership in sustainable development across different organizational and community scales. This study advances leadership and sustainability research by moving beyond descriptive accounts of styles to articulate four assumptions: leadership as a translator of global goals into local practice, as an enabler of well-being and equity, as a multi-level integrator of sustainability, and as a facilitator of cross-boundary collaboration.

Sustainable Development Goals

Find

https://www-sciencedirect-com.ezproxy.newcastle.edu.au/science/article/pii/S1447677025001275

Cite

Nguyen, G. N., Wechtler, H., & Lai, P. H. (2025). Mapping leadership studies to the achievement of sustainable development goals in tourism and hospitality: A systematic literature review and future research Agenda. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 65, 101351.