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An Examination to Explain the Mechanism of Employees’ Environment-Specific Behavior through CSR and Work Engagement from the Perspective of Stewardship Theory

Author

Listed:
  • Shilong Wei

    (School of Labor and Human Resources, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China)

  • Muhammad Safdar Sial

    (Department of Management Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan)

  • Ubaldo Comite

    (Department of Business Sciences, University Giustino Fortunato, 82100 Benevento, Italy)

  • Phung Anh Thu

    (Faculty of Finance and Accounting, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, 300A Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam)

  • Daniel Badulescu

    (Department of Economics and Business, Faculty of Economic Sciences, University of Oradea, 410087 Oradea, Romania)

  • József Popp

    (Institute of Economic Sciences, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary)

Abstract

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has emerged as an imperative for every sector globally. Yet, for a long time, the concept of CSR has been regarded from an organizational perspective. However, the importance of CSR in shaping the extra-role behavior of employees, such as their pro-environmental behavior (PEB-E), has been under-explored in the literature. Against this backdrop, the current study aims to investigate the impact of CSR on PEB-E with the mediating effect of work engagement (W.E) in the context of a emerging country. The study also employs stewardship theory as an alternate theory to explain the proposed relationships. The data of the current study were obtained from SME sector through a self-administered (paper-and-pencil method) questionnaire. A random sample of employees ( n = 398) from different SMEs was selected and analyzed through structural equation modeling. The results of the current survey revealed that CSR directly and indirectly, via W.E, predicts PEB-E positively. The findings of the current study will be helpful for policymakers to understand that well-planned CSR activities, not only create positive repute for an SME, but also provide the underlying justification to its employees to be engaged in different environment-specific behaviors.

Suggested Citation

  • Shilong Wei & Muhammad Safdar Sial & Ubaldo Comite & Phung Anh Thu & Daniel Badulescu & József Popp, 2021. "An Examination to Explain the Mechanism of Employees’ Environment-Specific Behavior through CSR and Work Engagement from the Perspective of Stewardship Theory," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-20, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:17:p:9370-:d:629457
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Chen Ma & Changjiang Yu & Yasir Latif, 2023. "CSR and Sustainable Growth in China’s Technology Firms between 2010 and 2021," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-24, January.

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