Understanding employees’ voluntary pro-environmental behavior in public organizations–an integrative theory approach

Sameera Mohamed Al Zaidi, Shilpa Iyanna, Fauzia Jabeen, Khalid Mehmood

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)
16 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the impact of situational factors and internal psychological states on employees’ decisions to perform voluntary pro-environmental behavior. This study used a model combining the theory of planned behavior, norm activation model and comprehensive action determination model. This stud also explored the moderating role of habit (HAB) on the relationship between intention and actual voluntary pro-environmental behavior.

Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected through three waves of time-lagged survey questionnaires from 519 employees of public organizations in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Findings
Employees’ perceptions of corporate social responsibility (CSR) had a significant impact on intention to perform voluntary pro-environmental behavior, as did all other variables except perceived behavioral control. HABs related to pro-environmental behavior enhanced the relationship between intention and actual behavior.

Practical implications
The main factors influencing employees’ voluntary pro-environmental behavioral intentions were perceived CSR, personal moral norms, organizational citizenship behaviors toward the environment and attitude. Public organization planners, managers and practitioners can use these findings to improve their organization’s environmental performance, leveraging nonmandated actions.

Social implications
Employees can achieve a better work–life balance in organizations with flexible CSR policies and which sponsor social activities to improve public well-being and individuals’ life quality. Positive sense-making of corporate social activity helps employees develop social interactions with stakeholders, increasing their involvement in society and decreasing work stress.

Originality/value
This study sheds light on the factors influencing employees’ voluntary pro-environmental behavior. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study of its kind to combine these three models to explain the variables affecting intent to perform voluntary pro-environmental behavior in the workplace.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1466-1489
Number of pages24
JournalSocial Responsibility Journal
Volume19
Issue number8
Early online date17 Jan 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 18 Oct 2023

Keywords

  • Voluntary pro-environmental behavior
  • Public organizations
  • Perceived corporate social responsibility (CSR)
  • Organizational citizenship behaviors (OCB) toward the environment

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