How does responsible leadership affect employees' voluntary workplace green behaviors? A multilevel dual process model of voluntary workplace green behaviors. (15th October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Junwei; Ul-Durar, Shajara; Akhtar, Muhammad Naseer; Zhang, Yajun; Lu, Lu
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental management. Volume 296(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-10-15
• Subjects: Responsible leadership -- Voluntary workplace green behavior -- Green work climate -- Organizational identification -- Green values; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; 363.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113205
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4797

Abstract

Abstract: This study aims to explore how to encourage employees to engage in voluntary workplace green behavior. Drawing upon social identity and social information processing theories, we theorized and tested a multilevel model in which responsible leadership triggers employee voluntary workplace green behavior by fostering organizational identification and a green work climate. Additionally, we distinguished these two critical processes by introducing employees' green values as a moderator. A multilevel, multisource study collected from 299 employees and 71 supervisors generally supported our predictions. Specifically, responsible leadership was a significant predictor of voluntary workplace green behavior. Moreover, employees' green values strengthened the organizational identification mechanism and attenuated the green work climate process in the relationship between responsible leadership and voluntary workplace green behavior. The findings and the theoretical underpinning of our study shed a new light on the green work climate, identity, and values in a responsible way shape the voluntary green behaviors among organizational actors and provide practical implications for leaders determined to improve environmental sustainability in organizations. Highlights: Responsible leadership positively impacts employees' voluntary workplace green behavior via green work climate. Green values amplify the effect of organizational identification on employees' voluntary workplace green behavior. Green values weaken the effect of green work climate on employees' voluntary workplace green behavior. Green values moderate the indirect effects through organizational identification and green work climate.