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Activating employee pro-environmental behavior in the workplace: the effects of environmental self-identity and behavioral integrity

Author

Listed:
  • Wenhao Song

    (School of Economics and Management of Shanghai Maritime University
    Fudan University)

  • Jie Deng

    (School of Economics and Management of Shanghai Maritime University)

  • Fangfang Zhang

    (School of Economics and Management of Shanghai Maritime University)

  • Xuerong Peng

    (Zhejiang Gongshang University)

  • Xiangdong Jin

    (School of Economics and Business Administration, Central China Normal University)

Abstract

Scholars have gradually turned their attention to ethical leadership within the developing discussion of leaders’ influence on employee pro-environmental behavior. However, few have regarded ethical leadership as an antecedent of employee pro-environmental behavior. Based on social and role identity theories, we investigated the mechanism by which ethical leadership affects employee pro-environmental behavior through employee environmental self-identity. We also explored the moderating role of behavioral integrity in the process of employee environmental self-identity being rendered into pro-environmental behavior. We gathered data from 284 subordinate–supervisor dyads across China’s various regions and industries and utilized a regression analysis and bootstrapping test to evaluate our hypotheses, all of which were supported by the results. We found that employee environmental self-identity played a partial mediating role in the relationship between ethical leadership and employee pro-environmental behavior. When employees perceived that their leaders had a high (low) level of behavioral integrity, employee environmental self-identity was more (less) effectively transformed into pro-environmental behavior. Furthermore, the indirect effect of ethical leadership on employee pro-environmental behavior is higher (lower) through environmental self-identity at the same time. In response to calls to advance research on pro-environmental behavior and ethical leadership, our research reveals potential antecedents to employee pro-environmental behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Wenhao Song & Jie Deng & Fangfang Zhang & Xuerong Peng & Xiangdong Jin, 2024. "Activating employee pro-environmental behavior in the workplace: the effects of environmental self-identity and behavioral integrity," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(8), pages 1-27, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:26:y:2024:i:8:d:10.1007_s10668-023-03549-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-023-03549-7
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