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Greening Organizations: The Relationship between Employee Environmental Concern, Perception of Advantages of Eco-Innovations, and Support for Innovation

Author

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  • Salvatore Zappalà

    (Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy)

  • Luca Radassao

    (Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy)

  • Ferdinando Toscano

    (Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy)

Abstract

Environmental sustainability is a relevant challenge for companies, and employees’ perceptions of the advantages of ecological innovation, or eco-innovation, introduced by the company represent an important driver of organizational change adoption. This study examines if employees’ environmental concerns, considered as a general attitude and a value orientation, are related to the perception of the advantages of eco-innovation. Building on climate literature, it also investigates if the climate of support for innovation moderates that relationship. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 130 Italian workers. A confirmatory factor analysis and a moderation model were tested. Results show a significant positive relationship between employees’ environmental concern and perceived benefits of eco-innovation. Intriguingly, the climate of support for innovation negatively, instead of positively, moderated this relationship. Results suggest that in order to increase the perception of the benefits of the introduced eco-innovations, organizations should consider the whole set of innovations undertaken and address, especially to very concerned and value oriented employees, the unique environmental benefits of those innovations.

Suggested Citation

  • Salvatore Zappalà & Luca Radassao & Ferdinando Toscano, 2023. "Greening Organizations: The Relationship between Employee Environmental Concern, Perception of Advantages of Eco-Innovations, and Support for Innovation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:24:p:16718-:d:1297590
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    References listed on IDEAS

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