Reducing food waste behavior among hospitality employees through communication: dual mediation paths

Abstract

PurposeFood waste behavior in the workplace or work-related gatherings has been less researched compared to that in household context. This study aims to bridge this gap through unfolding how and when quality of food waste prevention communication mitigates food waste behavior among frontline employees in the hospitality workplace.Design/methodology/approachParticipants in this research comprised employees from four- and five-star hotels operating in Vietnam.FindingsThe results lent credence to the dual mediation channels of moral attitudes toward food wasting and meaningfulness of food waste reduction for the impact of quality of food waste prevention communication on employees’ food waste reduction intention and their reduced food waste behavior. The contingency role of employees’ green role identity was marginally confirmed for the nexus between employees’ food waste reduction intention and their food waste behavior.Originality/valueThis inquiry advances the understanding of mechanisms underlying work-related food waste behavior among hospitality employees.