THE IMPACT OF INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP ON EMPLOYEE VIOCE BEHAVIOUR WITH MEDIATING ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY IN FIVE-STAR HOTELS IN COLOMBO DISTRICT

Abstract

This research provides a comprehensive understanding of horv Inclusive LeaCership influences Employee Voice Behaviour, with Psychological Safety playing a mediating role, within five-star hotels in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The study explores the five dimensions of Inclusive Leadership: Supporting Team Members, Ensuring Justice and Equity, Shared Decision-Making, Maintaining Availability, and Demonstrating Openness and their impact on four t-vpes of Emplo-vee Voice Behaviour: Supportive Voice, Constructive Voice, Defensive Voice, and Destructive Voice. Grounded in existing literature, a conceptual framervcrk.nas developeC to investigate the direct and indirect relationships among the variables. Primary data was collected through a structured questionnaire distributed among 400 employees working in frontoffice, housekeeping, food and beverage, and guest services departments ofthe selected five-star hotels in Colombo, using a convenience sampling technique. The study emplo_ved univariate (descriptive). bivariate (correlation). and multivariate (regression and mediation) analyses to examine the proposed t yplii"r"r. The findings reveal a signifioant pcsiti.;e relationship betrveen klclu$i','e LeaCership and Employee Voice Behaviour. Moreover, Psychological Safety was found to partially mediate the relationship, indicating that inclusive leadership fosters-a psychologically safe environment, which in turn encourages employees to express their opinions and ideas openly. This highlights the critical role of inclusive leadership in promoting constructive emplo-vee communication and enhancing organizational performance in high-pressure service industries. This research contributes tc the theoretical unders+,anding of leadership anC 'roice behaviour by examining the underexplored role of Psychological Safefy in a South Asian hospitality context. It also provides practical insights for hospitality managers on how to cultivate inclusive practices that promote employee engagement and innovation. Keywords: Inclusive Leadership, Employee Voice Behaviour, Psychological Safety, Hospitality Industry, Colombo, Leadership Behaviour, Organizational Communication