p–ISSN: 2723 - 6609 e-ISSN: 2745-5254

Vol. 5, No. 5 Mei 2024 http://jist.publikasiindonesia.id/

Jurnal Indonesia Sosial Teknologi, Vol. 5, No. 5, Mei 2024 2042

Dynamics of Leaders in Indonesia's Environmental

Sustainability

Freddy Johanis Rumambi

challenges in achieving environmental sustainability. Various factors, including political

instability, historical heritage, globalization, and rapid economic growth, influence these

challenges. The New Order era from 1967 to 1998 introduced a centralistic style of

government in Indonesia. However, with the transition to a more democratic era and

decentralization of power, Indonesia faces a very important transformation process. With

the decentralization of power, there has been a significant change in the dynamics of

leadership and decision-making processes at the local and regional levels in Indonesia.

This presents both opportunities and challenges for environmental sustainability practices

opportunities and challenges for environmental sustainability practices in the country.

The transition to a more democratic era and decentralization of power has affected the

environmental sustainability landscape in Indonesia (Holzhacker et al., 2015). This shift

has implications for sustainability, including social segregation, inequality, and

environmental degradation, thus requiring an increased capacity of suburban local

governance and metropolitan governance (Holzhacker, Wittek, & Woltjer, 2015).

Indonesia, such as the conversion of food waste to bioenergy and remote microgrids for

energy access, have been explored, highlighting supply chain integration, technological

feasibility, and persistent behavior around food and energy waste (Suhartini et al., 2022).

challenges and opportunities to achieve environmental sustainability. Decentralization in

Indonesia has indeed changed the pattern of leadership and decision-making and presents

challenges and opportunities for environmental sustainability. The decentralization of

power in Indonesia has significantly changed the landscape of leadership and decision-

making, presenting numerous challenges and opportunities for environmental

sustainability. Sustainable leadership has been shown to influence sustainable

performance, emphasizing the importance of leadership styles in driving sustainable

development (Iqbal et al., 2020). In addition, the role of leaders in empowering and

supporting employees towards sustainable development is emphasized as essential to

creating a sustainable organization (Vujić, Novaković, Maksimović, & Karabašević,

leadership dynamics across different regions in Indonesia has resulted in a more distinct

approach to environmental policies and initiatives. This aligns with the findings (Iqbal,

Ahmad, & Li, 2021), which emphasize the importance of green leadership models in

natural resource and environmental management, highlighting the role of formal and

informal leadership in sustainable natural resource and environmental management.

System. The study revealed that sustainable leadership practices benefit organizational

learning by sharing sustainability-based visions, shaping long-term perspectives,

encouraging capacity building, and developing eco-friendly initiatives. This underscores

vision of sustainable development requires skilled leadership and empowering social

processes that reach deep into management. This highlights the critical role of leadership

in fostering a collective vision for sustainable development and environmental

stewardship within organizations and across regions. In addition, Maskun et al.'s (2022)

research highlights the challenges of fragmented institutions in Indonesia. These are the

main obstacles in implementing climate policies due to the asynchronous sectoral policies

with existing climate policies in each ministry today. This underscores the need for

cohesive and coordinated leadership at multiple levels to overcome barriers and promote

effective environmental governance and policy implementation. Furthermore,

leadership in driving sustainable environmental policies and initiatives across Indonesia.

Effective green leadership models, cohesive vision development, and overcoming

barriers from fragmented institutions are essential to advancing sustainable natural

resource and environmental management systems.

diverse leadership approaches to environmental sustainability. Cultural norms, traditional

practices, and local belief systems are important in shaping leaders' attitudes and actions

toward environmental conservation. The study by Mcmillen et al. (2020) emphasizes the

influence of biocultural management and local ecological knowledge on environmental

practices, highlighting the importance of cultural factors in shaping leadership approaches

ensure an integrated approach to environmental sustainability across countries. Different

approaches to environmental policies and initiatives, driven by empowered local leaders,

must be complemented by coordinated efforts to address environmental challenges at the

national level. By considering the influence of cultural norms, traditional practices, and

local belief systems on leadership approaches, a more comprehensive and effective

approach to promoting environmental sustainability in Indonesia can be developed.

strategies, each impacting environmental sustainability in Indonesia. Understanding and

systematic review of the dynamics of leaders in driving environmental sustainability

practices in Indonesia, we can gain valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses

of different leadership approaches and identify potential areas for improvement and

collaboration. By synthesizing findings from various studies and sources, we can develop

a comprehensive understanding of the role of leadership in driving environmental

sustainability practices in Indonesia.

communication. Delegating responsibilities wisely and solving problems decisively are

important skills. A leader's integrity and ethics are foundational, while adaptability to

change and focus on team development drive continued success. Balancing task goals

Similarly, Helgegren et al. (2019) highlight the importance of a clear and communicated

vision in driving change in organizations (Helgegren et al., 2019; Simeonova & Valk,

2016) emphasizes the need for a clear vision and strategy in the integration of

environmental policy, particularly in integrating nature conservation and urban planning

(Simeonova &; Valk, 2016; Lameck, 2022) emphasizes the influence of ethical leadership

in the delivery of agricultural consulting services, highlighting the importance of integrity

and ethics in leadership (Lameck, 2022). In addition, it emphasizes the importance of

legislating with a clear vision of the desired future conditions of ecological processes and

biodiversity. It underscores the role of a clear vision in guiding policy priorities to sustain

ecological processes (McGregor et al., 2011).

sources will be critically analyzed to identify findings and perspectives related to the

research. The data from this literature study will be used to build a theoretical framework

and conduct an in-depth analysis of leader dynamics and environmental sustainability.

Leader Dynamics in Environmental Sustainability Practices

factors. First, leaders who demonstrate transformational leadership behavior positively

affect sustainable company performance. Second, identify that employees' green

environmental sustainability also foster a culture of innovation and creativity. This culture

of innovation and creativity enables employees to generate eco-friendly ideas, solutions,

and initiatives that contribute to environmental sustainability.

factors identified through various studies. First, the transformational leadership behavior

shown by leaders has proven to affect the performance of sustainable companies

positively, Widisatria & Nawangsari (2021). In addition, the influence of

transformational eco leadership and eco training on employee eco behavior significantly

impacts sustainable company performance (Novita et al., 2022). In addition, leaders' self-

efficacy of eco-friendliness and ability to regulate and enforce environmental practices

sustainability practices in Indonesia, spanning various sectors and industries. The

literature emphasizes the need for effective leadership to drive initiatives, innovation, and

implementation of sustainable strategies, ultimately contributing to environmental

drives organizational change, aligns strategy with sustainable development goals, and

influences policy decisions.

Indonesia has many aspects. Sustainable leadership, as highlighted in the literature, plays

an important role in driving environmental innovation, strategy adoption, and intellectual

projects and policy formulation to disseminate best practices throughout the organization

(Cruickshank, n.d.). In addition, corporate governance significantly impacts sustainability

in Indonesia, thus emphasizing the need for optimal law enforcement to impact corporate

sustainability positively (Setyahadi & Narsa, 2020). Transformational leadership is also

associated with social entrepreneurship and sustainability, which shows the importance

of leadership in driving sustainable initiatives (Muralidharan & Pathak, 2018). In

addition, industrial sustainability strategies, such as the palm oil industry, require strong

leadership and governance to overcome weaknesses and drive sustainability (Wardhani

& Rahadian, 2021).

reduce energy consumption, minimize pollution emissions, and encourage sustainable use

of resources. In addition, leaders should recognize the importance of incorporating

environmental ethics and stakeholder views into eco-friendly innovation strategies. They

should also facilitate knowledge exchange and employee collaboration to encourage

creative problem-solving and sustainable solution development. In addition, leaders must

create an organizational culture that values and rewards continuous innovation and

provides employees with the resources and support necessary to engage in

environmentally friendly practices. By implementing these practices, leaders can promote

environmental sustainability and position their organizations as industry leaders in

sustainable development. The success of environmental sustainability practices in

pollution emissions, and encourage sustainable resource utilization (Chen et al., 2006).

Incorporating environmental ethics and stakeholder views into eco-friendly innovation

strategies is also important, highlighting the importance of leaders in aligning innovation

with environmental responsibility (Chang, 2011). In addition, leaders should facilitate

knowledge-sharing and collaboration among employees to encourage creative problem-

solving and sustainable solution development (Ouakouak et al., 2021). They are creating

an organizational culture that values and rewards continuous innovation, as well as

providing the necessary resources and support for employees to engage in

effective leadership, as leaders are important in guiding organizations in adopting and

implementing sustainable strategies and practices. Sustainable leadership has been

identified as a key factor in driving sustainability, emphasizing the need for leaders to

integrate sustainability into their organizational vision and practice (Çuhadar & Rudnák,

2022). In addition, the role of leaders in empowering and supporting employees towards

sustainable development is crucial, highlighting the influence of leadership in driving

sustainable initiatives (Vujić et al., 2019).

practices in Indonesia. Leaders must champion sustainable technology, green innovation,

provide direction and vision, set goals and targets, allocate resources, and influence

organizational culture toward sustainability. Leaders should communicate their stance on

environmental issues, encourage all departments to implement and improve green

policies and practices and prioritise implementing and supporting sustainable practices

within the organisation. Leaders should strengthen employees' knowledge and

environmental protection awareness through training, seminars, and creating an

environmentally friendly work environment. Leaders provide direction and vision, set

goals and targets, allocate resources, and influence organizational culture toward

sustainability (Ahmed et al., 2021); (Marjanović et al., 2019). Leaders should

communicate their stance on environmental issues, encourage all departments to

practices in Indonesia. (Iqbal et al., 2021) emphasised the integrated role of sustainable

leadership, environmental innovation, and managerial wisdom in the Asian region,

including Indonesia. In addition, their 2020 study provides empirical evidence of the

influence of sustainable leadership on sustainable performance in specific ASEAN

countries, highlighting the effectiveness of various leadership styles and strategies in

driving environmental sustainability practices in Indonesia. In addition, (Zainab,

Khawaja, & Asghar, 2021) investigated the impact of proactive sustainable strategies and

sustainable leadership on corporate sustainability performance, providing insight into the

driving environmental sustainability practices in Indonesia. By adopting a proactive eco-

transformational leadership style and sustainable strategy, leaders positively influence

employee engagement in eco-friendly behaviour and ultimately improve sustainable

company performance. Empirical evidence from these studies supports the need for

effective leader dynamics to encourage environmental sustainability practices in

organisations in Indonesia.

The Impact of Sustainable Leadership on Environmental Sustainability

is an important field of study. Sustainable leadership has positively influenced sustainable

opportunities in complexity, leadership, and sustainability highlight the changing

leadership perspectives needed to address sustainability challenges. The positive impact

of transformational leadership behaviour on organisational financial performance has

been demonstrated, showing transformational leadership's relevance in achieving

financial sustainability (Handayani et al., 2022). These references collectively provide

valuable insights into the role of sustainable leadership in driving environmental

sustainability practices in Indonesia. They contribute to existing knowledge of

environmental sustainability leadership and practices, enhancing our understanding of the

relationship between leadership dynamics and environmental sustainability outcomes in

the Indonesian context.

Emphasizing the importance of leadership roles in natural resource conservation and

sustainable development, demonstrating the impact of leadership in natural resource

management. (Rambe et al., 2024) highlight the shift in leadership perspectives needed

to address sustainability challenges, further underscoring the importance of effective

leader dynamics in driving environmental sustainability. Furthermore, it shows the

positive impact of transformational leadership behaviour on an organisation's financial

performance, demonstrating the relevance of transformational leadership in achieving

financial sustainability.

can positively impact urban environmental management and broader applicability related

to the development of sustainability and well-being on a planet experiencing rapid

environmental, social, and climate change (McMillen et al., 2020). This research will

provide valuable insights for leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders in Indonesia,

helping them develop effective leadership strategies to drive environmental sustainability

initiatives. In addition, the findings of this study will contribute to existing knowledge of

environmental sustainability leadership and practices, thereby enhancing our

understanding of the relationship between leadership dynamics and environmental

sustainability outcomes in the Indonesian context.

dynamics to drive environmental sustainability initiatives in organisations in Indonesia.

Challenge

Indonesia, leaders must demonstrate commitment, allocate adequate financial resources,

enhance expertise in environmental management, and foster strong partnerships with

local communities and other stakeholders. Leaders must prioritise integrating

environmental considerations into decision-making processes and ensure sustainable

practices are embedded in organisational culture and policies.

demonstrate commitment, allocate adequate financial resources, improve expertise in

resources and institutional design problems (Anggraeni, Achsanta, & Purnomowati,

2023). This underscores the need for leaders to allocate adequate financial resources and

overcome barriers to sustainable development. The role of leadership in driving

sustainable performance and setting guidelines for following sustainable principles

(Kafetzopoulos & Gotzamani, 2022). This supports the importance of leaders

demonstrating commitment and integrating sustainable practices into organisational

culture and policies.