Can organizations shape eco-friendly employees? Organizational support improves pro-environmental behaviors at work

Abstract

Previous studies have well documented the positive association between organizational support and pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs) at work. However, there is limited evidence on their causal relationship. We also know little about whether employees' PEBs at work can be motivated by organizational support in actual working contexts. The present study explores how organizational support influences employees' PEBs at work via multiple methods. Specifically, a cross-sectional survey (pre-study, n = 219), an experiment with a recall paradigm (Study 1, n = 101), and a field study in a company (Study 2) were conducted. The results of the three sub studies consistently indicated that organizational support effectively facilitated employees’ PEBs at work. More importantly, in real organizational settings, employees are likely to engage in PEBs even when receiving only supportive information from the organization. Our findings highlight the role of organizations in shaping eco-friendly employees from the perspective of organizational support. Practical implications for organizations to integrate environmental sustainability are also provided.