Environmental Psychology Research Articles

Promoting tourists’ sustainable transportation use, walking tour and recycling activities for air pollution minimization at overseas urban tourism destinations

PurposeThis study aims to examine the factors driving tourists’ engagement in eco-friendly activities to minimize air pollution in urban destinations. It also explores cross-national differences in pollution reduction behaviour between Chinese and Korean tourists to inform tailored sustainable tourism strategies.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs a mixed-method approach, integrating user-generated content analysis from TripAdvisor’s Asia forums to highlight experiences and behaviours in polluted destinations with structural equation modelling of survey data to examine the relationships among loyalty, moral norms, attitude and eco-friendly activities.Findings“Air pollution” and “air quality” emerged as the most prominent terms in TripAdvisor’s Asia forums, reflecting the need for pollution reduction. Chinese tourists are more responsive to ascribed responsibility, whereas Korean tourists are more influenced by problem awareness and social norms.Practical implicationsThe findings provide strategic insights for tourism managers to promote tourists’ engagement in eco-friendly activities. Awareness campaigns and community initiatives resonate with Korean tourists, while Chinese tourists require strategies that emphasize personal contributions to pollution reduction.Originality/valueThis study offers a novel integration of norm activation theory, four-stage loyalty theory and the theory of reasoned action to examine eco-friendly behaviours, effectively bridging environmental psychology and tourism studies. It provides fresh insights into culturally rooted drivers of sustainable behaviour by revealing cross-national differences between Chinese and Korean tourists in air-polluted urban destinations.

Mapping the Green Frontier: Bibliometric Analysis of Sustainable Marketing & Consumer Behavior in Hospitality

Environmental sustainability and green marketing have emerged as critical priorities within the hospitality industry. Nonetheless, a comprehensive understanding of how these concepts intersect—especially regarding consumer behavior, corporate strategies, and emerging technological enablers—remains underexplored. This study bridges that gap by employing an extended, cross-database bibliometric approach that integrates advanced co-occurrence, co-citation, bibliographic coupling, and co-authorship analyses. Drawing on a robust dataset of 67,059 articles extracted from Scopus and ABS-indexed journals—and triangulated with 229 core studies filtered from the Web of Science (WoS)—we map the evolution of primary thematic clusters and subtopics over time. These include green supply chain management, pro-environmental purchase intention, AI-driven eco-innovation, transformative tourism, and crisis management. Our methodology involves refining and applying carefully curated keyword sets (e.g., “green marketing,” “pro-environmental behavior,” “hospitality,” “consumer behavior”), extracting large-scale records from Scopus and ABS-indexed journals, and incorporating WoS core studies to ensure comprehensive coverage and cross-validation of emerging trends, and utilizing specialized clustering techniques—such as fractional counting, LinLog normalization, and modularity-based clustering—to achieve high-resolution thematic groupings. The advanced analyses reveal two dominant yet interlinked research domains: (a) corporate sustainability and marketing strategies, and (b) attitudinal and psychological factors driving pro-environmental consumer behavior. Key results indicate that green marketing approaches—underpinned by robust brand image, CSR initiatives, and circular economy practices—significantly influence purchase intentions and consumer loyalty, particularly in hotels and tourism settings. Moreover, digital transformation, evidenced by the integration of AI-based personalization and big data analytics, is reshaping consumer engagement by enabling real-time, data- driven insights to predict and influence eco-friendly behaviors. These findings highlight the multidisciplinary and rapidly evolving nature of green marketing research, calling for intensified cross- disciplinary collaboration among marketing, environmental psychology, and technological innovation. For practitioners, our results highlight the necessity of implementing authentic, data-driven green strategies to meet the demands of increasingly eco-conscious consumers. Thus, the originality of this study lies in its holistic, state-of-the-art bibliometric methodology, which elucidates not only the historic landscape of green marketing research but also the emergent frontiers that can guide both researchers and industry stakeholders toward more impactful sustainability practices.

Psychophysiological research in real-world environments: methodological perspectives from the SLU Multisensory Outdoor Laboratory.

Growing evidence demonstrates the importance of environmental quality for human health and wellbeing. Environmental psychology can inform planning and design of future environments, but previous research often used simulated settings, limiting ecological validity. To bridge this gap and enable studies in real environments, a new laboratory (SENSOLA) has been built at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. The laboratory is designed to facilitate studies on human-environment interactions in real environments, with a particular focus on psychophysiology using wearable sensors. An important prerequisite of the endeavor is the ability to synchronize environmental data with biomarkers and participants' self-reports over time. In this methodological paper, we describe the creation and implementation of the SENSOLA laboratory. Drawing on experiences gained from the first ten studies conducted within the laboratory, we summarize key considerations for conducting research in field settings. We discuss various methodological approaches and procedural considerations, highlighting challenges and possibilities, to serve as a peer-reviewed guideline for future studies in the lab and elsewhere.

Post-Occupancy Evaluation of Campus Learning Spaces with Multi-Modal Spatiotemporal Tracking

As the core carrier of cognitive construction, the design optimization of campus learning space is crucial to the improvement of education quality, but the existing research focuses on the analysis of behavioral preferences and lacks an in-depth analysis of the psychological dynamics of users. Through multimodal questionnaires and spatiotemporal tracking, we developed an ‘expectation–perception–behavior’ framework to quantify discrepancies between users’ visual expectations and actual experiences. The results showed that blue and wood tones significantly enhanced learning efficiency; however, there was a significant difference between facility usability and sound insulation. Based on this, dynamic environment adjustment, virtual reality preview, and modular flexible space strategies are proposed to optimize spatial performance through biophilic design and intelligent regulation. This study provides interdisciplinary methodological innovation for architecture, education, and environmental psychology and promotes the transformation of campus space, injecting new momentum into the transformation of global stock space, the construction of a sustainable education ecology, and contributing to the overall improvement of social cognitive performance.

Integrating Spatial Psychology in Juvenile Rehabilitation Center Design

This research explores the integration of spatial psychology in the architectural design of juvenile detention centers, with a focus on fostering rehabilitation rather than retribution. Drawing from environmental psychology, neuroscience, and architectural theory, the study examines how thoughtfully designed spaces can influence behavior, emotional well-being, and identity formation in incarcerated youth. The case study of the Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Centre (BAJCC) in Virginia provides a practical example of design strategies that support therapeutic outcomes—such as small-scale housing units, biophilic elements, purpose-driven zoning, and normalized communal areas. By analyzing existing literature and real-world applications, the paper proposes a design framework that aligns with trauma-informed care and developmental psychology and demonstrates that architecture, when informed by spatial psychology, can act as a silent partner in the rehabilitation process, fostering safety, agency, and personal growth for juveniles in custody.

Light behind bars: how light impacts mental health in prisons.

This paper synthesises literature on non-visual effects of light in prison environments, drawing attention to disconnect between research evidence and current practices. This paper aims to guide prison designers and decision-makers towards lighting strategies that better support inmates' mental health and rehabilitation. A focused literature search was conducted from June to October 2024 using Google Scholar and PubMed, targeting peer-reviewed studies published between 1985 and 2024. Included studies addressed the non-visual effects of light related to circadian rhythm, mental health, artificial and natural lighting, stress, aggression and hormonal regulation. Only English-language studies providing empirical or theoretical insights relevant to confinement settings were considered. Studies focused solely on visual performance, non-human subjects or lacking health implications were excluded. Keyword combinations were refined iteratively, although some relevant interdisciplinary work may have been missed due to indexing or terminological variations. Neglecting the role of lighting in prison design contributes to poor psychological outcomes. Limited access to daylight and the overuse of artificial lighting with high blue light content disrupt circadian regulation, worsening sleep, mood and mental health. Conversely, designs that maximise daylight exposure and use adjustable artificial lighting with appropriate spectral qualities can promote emotional stability, reduce aggression and support rehabilitation. Relevant interdisciplinary studies may still have been missed due to database indexing limitations or terminological variations across fields. This paper bridges the gap between lighting design, environmental psychology and prison reform. By focusing on how light affects inmates' psychological health and rehabilitation, it offers insights into how prison design can be improved to foster well-being.

Designing for the Mind: Architecture, Mental Health, and Human-Centered Living

Abstract: Mental health has become a critical global health concern, and there is growing recognition that the design of our built environment can significantly influence psychological well-being. This paper reformats and presents a comprehensive review of existing research on architecture and mental health through a human-centered design lens. The study synthesizes findings from environmental psychology, architectural design, and public health literature to identify how building design elements—such as natural light, green spaces, spatial layout, and acoustics—impact mental health outcomes. Using a structured literature review methodology, several key design principles emerged: integrating nature into daily spaces, providing access to daylight, ensuring privacy and personal control, fostering social connection, and adopting user-centered design processes. The findings suggest that architecture can be intentionally leveraged as a tool to support mental health, moving beyond aesthetics to create therapeutic, human-centered living environments. These insights underscore the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration between architects and mental health professionals. In conclusion, the paper calls for architects, planners, and policymakers to prioritize mental well-being in design decisions, and it outlines recommendations for future research to further establish evidence-based guidelines for mental health-friendly architectural practices.

Developing a methodological tool for exploring sense of safety in religious spaces.

Emotions are a fundamental part of human existence, a power that massively affects our thinking and actions. Even after the affective turn in social sciences, religion is to a very large extent overlooked in the sociology of emotions. Then, psychological research on sense of safety often leaves the societal and political contexts of emotions unattended. Sense of safety-the topic of our study-provides an excellent topic to explore emotions as social, societal, spatial, and embodied phenomenon. Our article concerns the ways in which sense of safety is both constructed and contested in religious spaces and how to study the topic. The aim of this article thus is to develop a methodological tool for empirically exploring the sense of safety experienced in the spaces of religion. The article first discusses sense of safety and space, specifically in relation to religion, and the need for a methodological approach to investigating it empirically. The article leans on environmental psychology, urban studies, and research on the recognition and politics of belonging from political philosophy. Based on this, we design The Spiral Model: a one-plus-five dimensions tool for empirical exploration of sense of safety in religious spaces, and the dimensions are: Identifying a religious place; Unpacking intergroup connectedness, and networks of belonging and safety; Focusing on intragroup boundaries, and how they are afforded by physical surroundings; Exploring the embodied emotions that are associated with the place and its spatial dimension; and, Looking at the embodied emotions of sense of safety of inter- and intragroup nexuses in the framework of wider social, societal, and global vistas. To demonstrate how the model can be applied, for both data collection and analysis, we introduce four ongoing, collaborative empirical case studies: (1) a novel communal church building, (2) LGBTQ+ Muslims, (3) Jewish mikveh baths, and (4) intersections of dance and religion. Although the spiral model developed in this article is far from complete, it holds a lot of potential for advancing a more holistic view of humans in research and deepening the understanding of social space with philosophical conceptualization and analysis related to recognition and politics of belonging.

Reconstruction of the Position of Electronic Documents as Evidence in Civil Case Evidence Based on Deep Ecology

The existence of electronic evidence, especially electronic documents, is a consequence of the development and sophistication of information and communication technology which can now be used in proving a case. The benefits of this research will get a reconstruction of the position of electronic documents as evidence in proving civil cases. The research method used is normative legal research method with legislation. The results of the study show the reconstruction of the existence of electronic evidence, especially electronic documents, can be used as letter evidence because currently any activity has carried the concept of paperless, so digital documents and electronic mail become vital, electronic evidence as part of efforts to support environmental sustainability by limiting the use of paper in the trial process. The legal basis and footing for the strength of electronic documents for evidentiary purposes in civil cases in accordance with the applicable procedural law is increasingly getting a place and flexibility, so there is no doubt that in defending arguments and rights in the civil field the existence of electronic documents is important and decisive. Electronic evidence in court proceedings is an attempt to contribute to ensuring environmental sustainability. This effort, in the eyes of environmental psychology, is a responsible attitude and behaviour towards environmental sustainability.

Review: Exploring the Impact of Serving Methods on Food Consumption – Gaps and Opportunities in Sustainability and Consumer Behavior

Abstract Global challenges related to food waste and its impact on sustainability highlight the urgency to explore innovative approaches to reducing waste and encouraging sustainable consumption. This study examines the influence of serving and presentation methods on consumer behavior, focusing on portion sizes, visual presentations, and packaging design in various types of places to eat with different serving patterns. Through a bibliometric analysis of 363 relevant publications (2013-2024), the study identified key trends, gaps, and opportunities in food serving and consumption practices. The results show that the method of presentation significantly shapes consumer perceptions and behaviors, with evidence supporting its role in reducing waste and encouraging responsible consumption. Behavioral theories, such as the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), and the framework of environmental psychology reveal how external factors, including presentation methods and social norms, influence consumer intentions. However, there is still a lack of comprehensive understanding of the long-term impacts and cross-cultural impacts of presentation methods on sustainable behavior. In fact, Long-term Impact and Cross-cultural Impacts are important to understand whether certain methods of presentation can be widely adopted in various cultural contexts and have the potential to change consumption behavior in the long term. The study contributes by proposing recommendations to optimize serving methods, including harmonized portion size guidelines, innovative packaging designs, and effective visual elements. The strategy aims to bridge the attitude-behavior gap and align consumer practices with sustainability goals, providing practical insights for policymakers, food industries, and consumers. This study emphasizes the important role of presentation methods in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to responsible consumption and production.

The meaning of Environment Design: the uniqueness of the human being in a scenario of transformations

Design is a field of professional activity that comprises different types of work, such as space planning. This interdisciplinary typology has been evolving, rasing the question of what the role of the Environmental Designer must be in face of contemporary times. The reflection proposed in this article aims to analyze the relevance of the Environmental Design profession for society, demonstrating the transformation processes that led to the construction of a concept of ambiance throughout history. Environmental Psychology is addressed becausethis concept emerged in a social moment of discussions related to human values. This fact might have been the beginning of the transformation of the idea of the environmental object, which brought a systemic view to the relationship between subject and space. As a result, an analysis is presented of how Environmental Design can be configured in face of the current scenario of transformations within a real sense of environmentalismfocusing on the singularity of the human being.

Promoting Pro-environmental Beliefs and Behaviour: Choose-Your-Own Story Futuristic Climate Game.

How can we address climate scepticism and increase public support for ambitious pro-environmental policies? This study investigates the potential of future-oriented perspective taking, using an innovative and futuristic choose-your-own-adventure narrative game. This cutting-edge intervention involves living in the life of a future self and making choices related to hypothetical climate crises. The choose-your-own-adventure game was integrated into online survey experiments in the United Kingdom (N = 1,738) and the United States (N = 1,290). We found that participation in the game elicited strong emotional responses in individuals, making them more empathetic, but also more hopeless and sad. Imagining their future self during the climate game enhanced people's willingness to engage in future discussions about climate change among the UK respondents. Yet, the intervention did little to transform people's pro-environmental beliefs, policy support, or willingness to sign a climate petition. Causal mediation analyses reveal that these null effects hide important direct and indirect effects. Empathic concern mediates significant positive indirect effect of climate game on people's pro-environmental beliefs, but negative indirect effect on willingness to sign the climate petition. Empathy seems to shape environmental beliefs and behaviours in diverse ways, highlighting the complex and nuanced relationship between them. These findings offer important implications for recent research on the role of emotions in climate change communication, environmental psychology, and policymaking. We also present a unique approach to fostering empathy for the environment and future generations through an engaging choose-your-own-adventure game.

From Antiquity to Artificial Intelligence: Mind and Cognition Studies from the Perspective of Psychology

Among the subjects of psychology, the mind has been tried to be understood since the pre-scientific period. With Wundt's establishment of the first psychology laboratory, human behaviors were investigated with scientific methods, and the psychology journey began with these studies. Schools such as structuralism, functionalism, and behaviorism came to the fore according to the conditions of the period and cognitive studies have gained importance, especially with the development of technology in the recent period. Although most researchers state that behaviorism lost power with the cognitive revolution, it is also suggested that behaviorism transformed and continued its existence in parallel with the cognitive revolution. Behavioral psychologists such as Tolman and Hull were among the researchers who referred to the mind and provided the transition between behaviorism and cognitive psychology. Today, cognitive psychology studies have become dominant as one of the strongest sub-fields of experimental psychology. However, detailed experimental methods conducted during behaviorism continue to be used in cognitive studies. In this context, experimental psychology continues as the umbrella concept of many fields such as psychophysics, perception, attention, memory, thinking, decision-making, intelligence, development, social psychology, environmental psychology, and motivation. It has undergone significant changes since its inception, shifting from basic sensory and perception experiments to complex studies of cognitive, emotional, and social processes. With the pandemic period, online research has also increased outside of the laboratory environment. Especially during and after the pandemic period, a wide range of psychology studies continue to be conducted, from protecting human psychological health to understanding the mind in artificial intelligence research.

Exploration of the Spiritual Healing Mechanism of Intangible Cultural Heritage Aesthetics in Space Design

Under the dual background of the accelerated urbanization process and the generalization of mental health problems, the aesthetics of intangible cultural heritage (intangible cultural heritage) serves as the spiritual gene pool of Chinese civilization, and its contemporary transformation value urgently needs to be rediscovered and interpreted. With the theoretical aim of constructing "cultural healing space", this paper systematically discusses the innovative application paradigm of intangible cultural heritage aesthetics in the spatial design of emotional adjustment. The research breaks through the static protection paradigm of traditional intangible cultural heritage research, and reveals the emotional regulation mechanism of intangible cultural heritage aesthetics and the practical transformation path from the interdisciplinary perspective of environmental psychology, neuroaesthetics and cultural therapy. Firstly, the triple healing genes of intangible heritage aesthetics are deconstruc: in the dimension of symbol, the traditional pattern constructs cultural identity field through metaphorical narrative; in the dimension of behavior perception, the tactile memory of manual skills activates the parasympathetic nervous system and forms the spontaneous perceptual meridian reaction (ASMR) relaxation effect; in the dimension of spiritual artistic conception, the ecological wisdom of "unity of nature and nature" constructs the cognition of human and land relationship and cultivates the psychological resilience. Then the three-way action model of "cultural translation-spatial narrative-psychological adjustment" is proposed, so as to clarify that traditional aesthetic elements realize the paradigm transformation from material form to emotional media through deconstruction and reorganization, multisensory interaction and awakening of cultural memory. The innovative research lies in creating the interdisciplinary research framework of "intangible cultural heritage aesthetics-spatial medium-psychological effect", breaking through the traditional design functional orientation; proposing the biaxial design strategy of "symbol deconstruction gradient" and "sensory awakening intensity" to provide an operational path for the translation of intangible cultural heritage elements; revealing the cultural gene healing function at the value level, and realizing the value transition of intangible cultural heritage protection from "museum" to "emotional empowerment". The research not only provides the cultural resource transformation paradigm for the mental health-oriented space design, but also opens up a practical channel for the living inheritance of intangible cultural heritage by constructing the new form of "art recovery space", and responds to the dual strategic needs of high-quality cultural development and the construction of a healthy China.

Immersive educational design of ideological education spaces from environmental psychology perspectives

This study explores the design and effectiveness evaluation of "immersive" educational spaces for ideological and political education courses from an environmental psychology perspective. Through questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and experimental observations, we systematically investigated the learning experiences and educational outcomes of 813 university students in different teaching environments. The results indicate that environmental psychological elements in ideological and political education spaces significantly impact students' cognitive engagement, emotional experience, and value identification. Specifically, physical environmental elements primarily influence cognitive engagement, social environmental elements mainly affect emotional experience, and symbolic environmental elements primarily impact value identification. The design of immersive teaching spaces should follow strategies such as "multi-functional zoning, circular interactive layout, and contextualized thematic design," integrating multimedia technology and interactive facilities to create a contextualized learning atmosphere. Assessment across cognitive, emotional, and behavioral dimensions revealed that immersive teaching spaces, compared to traditional spaces, increased students' cognitive acceptance and satisfaction (38.7%), emotional involvement and sense of belonging (45.2%-48.6%), as well as behavioral conversion rate and practicality (20.9%-80.8%). Longitudinal research demonstrated that the educational effects of immersive teaching spaces have significant durability, with behavioral conversion rates maintaining at 63.5% eighteen months after completion of learning, whereas the traditional space group decreased to 25.4%. The study constructs a three-dimensional interactive "environment-psychology-behavior" immersive educational model for ideological and political education spaces, revealing a complete educational chain of "perception-understanding-resonance-identification-practice." This provides theoretical support and practical pathways for enhancing the effectiveness of ideological and political education. The research findings offer important implications for implementing the concept of "precise ideological and political education" and optimizing the design of teaching environments in higher education institutions.

RESTORATIVE ENVIRONMENT IN JUIZ DE FORA, MINAS GERAIS (MG): FROM TEXTUAL ANALYSIS TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PROPOSITIONAL AGENDA ABOUT THE UFJF BOTANICAL GARDEN

This research had as its object of study the Botanical Garden of the Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF). From the concepts of environmental psychology implying the Attention Restoration Theory (ART), the study aimed to analyze the perception of visitors who made public comments available on the digital platform Google Reviews, being filtered based on Bardin's (2011) content analysis (CA) technique. Thus, the exploratory and descriptive research used the support of the Voyant Tools (2025) online tool for data processing aiming at a textual analysis from the Cirrus word cloud and the analysis called Link. The results based on a textual corpus formed by (n=813) comments revealed that the UFJF Botanical Garden is widely perceived as a space that promotes contact with nature, complying with criteria associated with the theory in question about restorative environments. Finally, a purposeful agenda, which offers subsidies both for planners and managers, as well as for researchers and other interested parties, was created with four main focuses: (1) Recovering attention; (2) Relieve stress; (3) Contribute to the quality of life; (4) Combat seasonality from the uses of the UFJF Botanical Garden. Future studies can expand the methodological design to include primary data measured by questionnaires and interviews, which can contribute to analyzing an important aspect of ART: the role of individual stories for the symbolic interaction that restorative environments can elicit.

Cognitive Biases and Climate Change Decision-Making: Understanding the Role of Optimism and Anchoring in Environmental Choices

This study examines the role of optimism bias and anchoring bias in climate change risk perception and decision-making among 120 Pakistani university teachers in environmental science, psychology, and behavioral economics. The data were gathered using a self-report questionnaire with a quantitative research design and analyzed using correlation and regression analysis. The findings indicate that there is a strong negative correlation (r = -0.621, p < 0.001) between optimism bias and climate risk perception, and individuals with higher optimism bias overestimate climate risks. Anchoring bias was also statistically significant (B = 0.487, p < 0.001) in influencing beliefs related to climate and climate policy decisions, confirming that the use of first information influences environmental attitudes. In addition, interventions for mitigation such as risk communication that is targeted and behavioral change interventions had a significant positive impact on environmental decision-making (B = 0.532, p < 0.001). The study highlights the need to implement cognitive bias mitigation strategies in climate education and policy to increase awareness of risk and policy engagement. Long-term biases effects and the role played by misinformation on the internet should be addressed in future research.

Assessing the restorative effects of campus greeness on student depression: a comparative study across three distinct university campus type in Macau

This study addresses the growing mental health challenges among university students, with a particular focus on depression, by examining the role of campus greenness in mitigating its effects. In contrast to the majority of studies that concentrate on campus environments in Western countries, this research uniquely investigates how variations in campus density and form within the Chinese context influence the role of campus greenness in mitigating depression among university students. By analyzing three distinct types of university campuses in Macau, the study also reflects on the broader implications for campuses across China. A comprehensive model is then employed to assess the effects of perceived greenness, frequency of use, and ease of access on depression, identifying both mediation and moderation effects through the application of PLS-SEM. The results demonstrate that perceived greenness exerts the most significant influence in high-density campuses, while frequency of use and convenience of access play a greater role in larger, lower-density campuses. Mediation analysis shows that perceived greenness partially mediates the relationship between green space usage and depression, particularly in smaller, high-density campuses. Additionally, moderation analysis indicates that frequency of use amplifies the restorative effects of higher perceived greenness, especially in medium and large campuses. These findings advance current theories in environmental psychology and campus planning by underscoring the contextual intricacies of green space benefits. The outcomes are expected to inform future campus design and urban planning, emphasizing the importance of green spaces in fostering environments that support student well-being.

An inquiry into the application of biophilic design principles in contemporary university designs

ABSTRACT Environment can have a positive or negative effect on human beings. This effect has been a topic of interest for environmental psychologists, who have strived over the years to understand the environmental attributes, which would be favourable to people in physical, mental, and psychological terms. The present study focusses on biophilic design, one of the popular theories in the architectural literature aimed to create high quality and liveable environments. The positive effects of biophilic design have been investigated from different perspectives and thus it has become a well-accepted approach in the relevant architectural literature. Accordingly, the present study aims to investigate to what extent biophilic design principles were put into practice. In the context thereof, contemporary university structures were analysed within the framework of biophilic design principles. The results suggest that although biophilic elements were present in the design of these structures, they were not specifically intended as biophilic design strategies. Nevertheless, these designs reflected an approach that emphasized human-nature interaction. In that regard, the principles of biophilic design are aligned with key parameters of good design, and architects have regarded nature as a significant design element.

Workplace greenery and employee green behavior: a moderated-mediation model

PurposeThe implementation of sustainable corporate policies and practices requires that employees engage in green behavior. Understanding the drivers of employee green behavior (EGB) is a fundamental research question. This paper aims to extend the scholarship on the micro-foundations of EGB by examining workplace greenery as an antecedent of EGB.Design/methodology/approachDrawing from theories in environmental psychology (biophilic design, well-being and nature relatedness [NR]), the paper studies the mediating role of well-being and the moderating role of employee nature-relatedness in a three-wave panel study, conducted nine months apart in a sample of white-collar workers.FindingsWorkplace greenery influences the green behavior of employees; whereas the effect is direct for employees with low NR, for employees high in this trait the effect is mediated by well-being.Practical implicationsWorkplace greenery emerges as a practical environmental cue that contributes to achieving the environmental goals of the company reducing its environmental impact. Organizations may consider investing in creating greener workspaces as it implies a double dividend: for employees with stronger environmental identities, these plants enhance well-being and indirectly foster green behavior, but it will encourage green behavior in employees without such an identity.Social implicationsThe insights provided about the complex interplay between workplace greenery, NR, well-being and environmental behavior can guide the development of targeted and more strategic workplace interventions that foster greener and happier employees and organizations.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the micro-foundations of EGB in three ways. First, it reveals that workplace greenery, an under-researched organizational factor, may be used as a cultural artifact to promote green behavior among employees. Second, it enriches the authors’ understanding of the psychological mechanisms leading to EGB. Finally, it expands on the individual determinants of EGB, underscoring the importance of considering NR in green human resource management.