Does ebullient supervision foster thriving, social and creative employees? – it all starts at the top!

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the impact of ebullient supervision on thriving at work, and relational social capital to stimulate employee creativity in the hospitality industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a purposive sampling approach, data were collected from 391 subordinates and their immediate supervisors in the hospitality industry through a structured questionnaire. To analyze the data, partial least structural equation modeling approach was considered.

Findings

Results show that ebullient supervision is supportive in generating personal resources of thriving at work and relational social capital, which later shape employee creativity.

Practical implications

The empirical findings of this study provide valuable insights for managers in the hospitality industry for human resource development strategy formulation to stimulate creativity in the hospitality industry.

Originality/value

The findings of this study suggest a novel antecedent of ebullient supervision for stimulating creativity in the hospitality industry. Hence, the paper has implications for researchers, practitioners and students.