Environmentally specific transformational leadership and pro-environmental behavior: an empirical analysis of energy sector

Abstract

Purpose Although decades of research on transformational leadership have resulted in a firm understanding of its consequences, the impact of environmental-conscious transformational leader on positive employee outcomes and underlying mechanism in environmental leadership–outcome relationship is not well examined. This study aims to examine a moderated mediation model of effects of environmental consciousness (EC) on the mediating role of perceived corporate social responsibility (PCSR) in transformational leadership (ETFL) and pro-environmental behavior (PEB) relationship in energy-intensive industries. Design/methodology/approach In total, 320 self- reported questionnaires were collected from employees working in different Indian organizations across different sectors. All measures used in this survey were adopted from well-established scales. To minimize the effects of common method variance arising, the survey questionnaires were administered to the participants in two stages (with a gap of 14 days), with antecedents separated from outcomes. Partial least squares (PLS) structural equation modeling and SPSS-process macro were applied for testing the hypothesized model. Findings The results revealed that ETFL positively correlated with PEB. The hypothesized moderated mediation condition was supported as the results suggest that PCSR mediated the ETFL–PEB relationship, and EC moderated this mediating pathway; i.e. indirect effects of ETFL on employee PEB via PCSR were stronger for employees with high EC. Practical implications In particular, this research provides implications for training and development of leaders. The study indicates the importance of environmental-conscious leaders in enhancing perceived PCSR and PEB of employees. Likewise, the finding found that PCSR mediates the ETFL and PEB relationship. Moreover, the indirect effect of ETFL on PEB through PCSR moderated by EC highlights the importance of managing and ensuring effective leader–employee relationship that facilitates ecofriendly initiatives. Originality/value The study is based on the data collected from energy-intensive industries. Thus, it provides insights into the role and importance of green leadership and green behavior in energy industries. It is one of the few studies in the energy-intensive industry in India that help the researcher to delve into future research on the same.

Understanding the Impact of Environmentally Specific Servant Leadership on Employees’ Pro-Environmental Behaviors in the Workplace: Based on the Proactive Motivation Model

“…Specific styles of leadership can affect employee pro-environmental intentions and behaviors by stimulating employees to develop self-identity [26]. However, existing research mainly focuses on environmental transformational leadership [5,25,27,28], servant leadership [29], empowering leadership [30], responsible leadership [17], and green inclusive leadership [31]. Few have explored the impact mechanism of environmentally specific servant leadership (ESSL) on employee's WPB.…”

“…The external contextual influencing factors of WPB are mainly divided into interpersonal [15,20], team [15], and organizational [21]. First, for the interpersonal level, WPB is reinforced by interpersonal dynamics among leaders and colleagues, including leaders imposing expectations on employees and rolling out green initiatives, open discussions of environmental sustainability among colleagues, and sharing of environmental knowledge to shape workplace interactions [15,20,27,58]. Second, for the team level, team norms and team green work atmosphere will transform corporate environmental protection policies into behavioral norms that reward and support employees and motivate employees to adopt pro-environmental behaviors [15,58].…”