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Effects of Emotions and Ethics on Pro-Environmental Behavior of University Employees: A Model Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior

Author

Listed:
  • Faiq Aziz

    (Faculty of Educational Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia)

  • Ahmad Aizuddin Md Rami

    (Faculty of Educational Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia)

  • Zeinab Zaremohzzabieh

    (Faculty of Educational Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia)

  • Seyedali Ahrari

    (Faculty of Educational Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia)

Abstract

Over the last few years, many activities conducted by university employees have contributed greatly to the global rise of greenhouse gases responsible for the warming of the planet. This phenomenon can be attributed primarily to altering lifestyle, consumption, and portability patterns. Even though there is a significant applicability, understanding the factors determining the pro-environmental behavior (PEB) of university employees is lacking. Thus, this study extended the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to explain PEB among university employees. Ten hypotheses were suggested regarding the relations between the initial TPB constructs, environmental ethics, and emotional intelligence. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect data from a randomly selected sample of 302 university employees from six Malaysian higher educational institutions listed in the UI Green Matrix 2016. The findings revealed that environmental ethics significantly affected attitudes, perceived behavioral control, and subjective norms. Furthermore, pro-environmental behavioral intentions (PEIs) were directly influenced by attitude and perceived behavioral control, while emotional intelligence mediated the relationship between PEIs and PEB. Moving forward, this study will provide new insights into the literature of university employees’ PEB using an expanded TPB model.

Suggested Citation

  • Faiq Aziz & Ahmad Aizuddin Md Rami & Zeinab Zaremohzzabieh & Seyedali Ahrari, 2021. "Effects of Emotions and Ethics on Pro-Environmental Behavior of University Employees: A Model Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-17, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:13:p:7062-:d:580584
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Qiang Wu & Jacob Cherian & Sarminah Samad & Ubaldo Comite & Huajie Hu & Stefan B. Gunnlaugsson & Judit Oláh & Muhammad Safdar Sial, 2021. "The Role of CSR and Ethical Leadership to Shape Employees’ Pro-Environmental Behavior in the Era of Industry 4.0. A Case of the Banking Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-20, August.
    3. Mengying Wu & Lei Zhang & Wei Li & Chi Zhang, 2022. "How Institutional Pressure Affects Organizational Citizenship Behavior for the Environment: The Moderated Mediation Effect of Green Management Practice," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-17, September.
    4. Lai Kuan Lee & Nor Azazi Zakaria & Keng Yuen Foo, 2021. "Psychological Restorative Potential of a Pilot on-Campus Ecological Wetland in Malaysia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    5. Norlina Muhammad & Ismi Arif Ismail & Mohd Mursyid Arshad & Ahmad Aizuddin Md Rami, 2021. "Assessing Crisis Management Competencies: A Case Study of Pasir Gudang City Council," International Journal of Human Resource Studies, Macrothink Institute, vol. 11(4S), pages 157173-1571, December.
    6. Shehawy, Yasser Moustafa, 2023. "In green consumption, why consumers do not walk their talk: A cross cultural examination from Saudi Arabia and UK," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    7. Wei Zheng & Hongliang Qiu & Alastair M. Morrison & Wei Wei & Xihua Zhang, 2022. "Landscape and Unique Fascination: A Dual-Case Study on the Antecedents of Tourist Pro-Environmental Behavioral Intentions," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-20, March.

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