The mediating role of innovative climate in the effect of servant leadership on innovative service behavior

As a rapidly growing and constantly evolving sector, accommodation businesses require innovative services to gain a competitive advantage. Innovative services play a critical role in helping hotels maintain their competitive edge and enhance customer satisfaction. In this context, the concept of Innovative Service Behavior has emerged, particularly in relation to employees' demonstration of innovative approaches. It is emphasized that hotel business leaders who adopt a Servant Leadership style can positively influence employees' Innovative Service Behavior. Servant Leadership plays a crucial role by fostering long-term relationships with employees, helping them reach their full potential, promoting a "we" rather than an "I" mentality, and encouraging innovative ideas. Moreover, the successful implementation of innovative services requires the establishment of a suitable Innovative Climate. This study aims to examine the impact of Servant Leadership on Innovative Service Behavior and the mediating role of Innovative Climate in this relationship. The research seeks to clarify how Servant Leadership and Innovative Climate shape employees' innovative behaviors in hotel enterprises. To achieve this objective, a quantitative research method was employed using a survey technique. Data were collected from employees working in five-star hotel enterprises located in Istanbul, Antalya and Aydın, resulting in 1017 valid responses for analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted using IBM AMOS 23, while hypotheses were tested using the IBM Process Macro plugin. The findings indicate that all dimensions of Servant Leadership positively influence Innovative Service Behavior, with Innovative Climate playing an indirect mediating role in this relationship. The research findings provide theoretical and practical contributions to the hospitality sector by offering insights into the relationship between Innovative Service Behavior, Servant Leadership and Innovative Climate in hotel enterprises.