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Motivating innovative energy-saving behavior among factory workers: The role of enterprise climates and rewards

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  • Zhou, Jing
  • Zhang, Yixiang
  • Li, Junyi

Abstract

Uncovering the underlying mechanisms that motivate innovative energy-saving behaviors among manufacturing employees has become essential and urgent, while relevant knowledge has focused on either habitual energy-saving activities or energy-saving of households and employees in office settings. By contrast, this study examines the underexplored area, which is the energy-saving behaviors of factory workers. The study develops a comprehensive framework based on the core ideas of Amabile's initial and undated componential theories of creativity and the role of the organization's rewards of energy-saving. The study gathers survey data from China. The results indicate that organizational climates that foster creativity and energy-saving are crucial for motivating employees' innovative energy-saving actions. Organizational environmental factors influence these behaviors through employees' relevant skills and knowledge and intrinsic motivations like the perceived meaningfulness of energy-saving. Additionally, organizational rewards for energy-saving amplify the positive impact of perceived meaningfulness. The study also provides implications for future study and organization practices.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhou, Jing & Zhang, Yixiang & Li, Junyi, 2025. "Motivating innovative energy-saving behavior among factory workers: The role of enterprise climates and rewards," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 326(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:326:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225019115
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.136269
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