Abstract
Past researchanalyzes employee engagement in pro-environmental behavior by
assuming all employees are similar in their values, beliefs, and norms (VBN). We
argue that a segmented approach is more effective in understanding workplace proenvironmental
behaviors (PEBs) and seek to develop a typology of employees.
Analyzing data from 702 office employees in the UK, this study yields a more finely
grained segmentation of employee differences regarding environmental dimensions, personality traits, behaviors, and perceptions. Based on a cluster analysis methodology, this paper identifies three distinct employee segments: ‘Acorns,’ ‘Saplings,’ and ‘Trees.’ Theoretically, our findings suggest that the VBN theory should be expanded by integrating personality traits, and that organizational environmental policy makers should pay attention to the green subcultures that may form within clusters. Practically, our typology helps organizations design interventions to target different groups of employees with customized motivational strategies, communication tactics, and engagement approaches.
assuming all employees are similar in their values, beliefs, and norms (VBN). We
argue that a segmented approach is more effective in understanding workplace proenvironmental
behaviors (PEBs) and seek to develop a typology of employees.
Analyzing data from 702 office employees in the UK, this study yields a more finely
grained segmentation of employee differences regarding environmental dimensions, personality traits, behaviors, and perceptions. Based on a cluster analysis methodology, this paper identifies three distinct employee segments: ‘Acorns,’ ‘Saplings,’ and ‘Trees.’ Theoretically, our findings suggest that the VBN theory should be expanded by integrating personality traits, and that organizational environmental policy makers should pay attention to the green subcultures that may form within clusters. Practically, our typology helps organizations design interventions to target different groups of employees with customized motivational strategies, communication tactics, and engagement approaches.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 141296 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Journal of Cleaner Production |
| Volume | 445 |
| Early online date | 24 Feb 2024 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 15 Mar 2024 |
Bibliographical note
© 2024 Elsevier Ltd. This is an author-produced version of the published paper. Uploaded in accordance with the University’s Research Publications and Open Access policy.Keywords
- VBN theory; employee segmentation; personality; green person-organization (GPO) fit; corporate environmental responsibility (CER)