Creative adaptability and negative emotions of employees during a crisis: the role of servant leadership

Abstract

The main aim of this study is to examine the role of servant leadership (SL) in mitigating employees’ negative emotions (NE) while enhancing their creative adaptability (CA) during a crisis. A proactive personality model for employees was used as a mediator in these relationships. Additionally, the moderating effect of leader gender was explored in the link between the SL and NE of employees. Data were collected from 315 aviation employees during the pandemic crisis, with empirical findings revealing that SL had a negative impact on NE and a positive impact on CA among employees. The findings also confirmed the mediating role of proactive personality in these associations. Leader gender moderated the impact of SL on NE. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Keywords:

• Servant leadership
• creative adaptability
• negative emotions
• proactive personality
• leader gender
• crisis
• Vietnam

Additional information

Funding

This research is funded by the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Notes on contributors

Hoang Thi Kim Quy

Hoang Thi Kim Quy (MA, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Vietnam Aviation Academy, Vietnam) is a PhD student of Business Administration at University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. She has been working as a lectuter of Faculty of Business Administration at Vietnam Aviation Academy. Her areas of interest are Leadership, HRM, Organizational behaviors.

Mai Dong Tran

Mai Dong Tran is a lecturer at the School of International Business and Marketing, University of Economics HCM City, Vietnam. His current research interests include marketing, higher education, Internationalization and leadership. He is also peer reviewer for Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, Journal of Asian Business and Economic Studies. He has been assigned as a principal Investigator for the National research project - NAFOSTED.

Tien Minh Dinh

Tien Minh Dinh (PhD) is a lecturer at the School of International Business and Marketing, University of Economics HCM City, Vietnam. His current research interests include marketing, digital transformation, consumer behavior. He is also peer reviewer for Journal of Asian Business and Economic Studies.