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Green Proactivity in the Workplace: Organizational Drivers and Enablers

Author

Listed:
  • Katarzyna Gadomska‐Lila
  • Agata Sudolska
  • Justyna Łapińska

Abstract

This study addresses a research gap regarding the factors that encourage proactive green workplace behaviors. Namely, the study aims to investigate proactive green workplace behaviors by identifying their key contextual antecedents and finding ways to foster their development within the organization. The theoretical grounding is exemplified with the empirical study based upon individual interviews with firms' representatives. Study results contribute to the conceptualization of proactive green workplace behavior. The results, in particular, contribute to identifying organizational factors that promote proactive green workplace behaviors and highlight the significance of human resource management practices, organizational culture, and leadership. The study found that leadership and organizational culture are crucial in influencing pro‐environmental values, beliefs, and norms that promote green workplace behaviors. Given the above, this research can also be viewed as an extension of the value‐belief‐norm (VBN) theory of environmentalism, which incorporates an organizational aspect.

Suggested Citation

  • Katarzyna Gadomska‐Lila & Agata Sudolska & Justyna Łapińska, 2025. "Green Proactivity in the Workplace: Organizational Drivers and Enablers," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 34(8), pages 9652-9671, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:bstrat:v:34:y:2025:i:8:p:9652-9671
    DOI: 10.1002/bse.70097
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