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Influence of responsible leadership on employee green behavior: the role of green role identity and green human resource management

Author

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  • Zhiyong Han

    (Anhui University of Finance and Economics)

  • Mingxia Chen

    (Anhui University of Finance and Economics)

  • Chuanyun Jiang

    (Anhui University of Finance and Economics)

Abstract

Drawing upon role identity theory and situational strength theory, this paper investigates the mechanisms that connect employees’ green activities with responsible leadership. Using information from a survey of 260 workers across multiple enterprises in Anhui Province, this study reveals that responsible leadership enhances employees’ green role identity, subsequently motivating them to adopt green practices. Furthermore, the association between employees’ green behaviors and responsible leadership is mediated by green role identity. Higher levels of green human resource management reinforce the favorable association between employees’ green behaviors and their green role identity, while green human resource management moderates this relationship. Furthermore, the association between responsible leadership and employees’ green actions is mediated by green role identity, which is moderated by green human resource management. The mediation is amplified at higher levels of green human resource management. This paper deepens our comprehension of the mechanisms and boundaries conditions of responsible leadership, offering valuable insights for enhancing organizational environmental management and guiding employee green behaviors.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhiyong Han & Mingxia Chen & Chuanyun Jiang, 2025. "Influence of responsible leadership on employee green behavior: the role of green role identity and green human resource management," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 27(2), pages 2985-3001, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:27:y:2025:i:2:d:10.1007_s10668-024-05752-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-024-05752-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zhiyong Han & Qun Wang & Xiang Yan, 2019. "How Responsible Leadership Motivates Employees to Engage in Organizational Citizenship Behavior for the Environment: A Double-Mediation Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-13, January.
    2. Ahmad Siddiquei & Fahad Asmi & Muhammad Ali Asadullah & Farhan Mir, 2021. "Environmental-specific servant leadership as a strategic tool to accomplish environmental performance: a case of China," International Journal of Manpower, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 42(7), pages 1161-1182, February.
    3. Ali Nawaz Khan, 2023. "Is green leadership associated with employees’ green behavior? Role of green human resource management," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 66(9), pages 1962-1982, July.
    4. Clarissa Bohlmann & Jeroen van den Bosch & Hannes Zacher, 2018. "The relative importance of employee green behavior for overall job performance ratings: A policy‐capturing study," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 25(5), pages 1002-1008, September.
    5. Baojie Zhang & Lifeng Yang & Xiangyang Cheng & Feiyu Chen, 2021. "How Does Employee Green Behavior Impact Employee Well-Being? An Empirical Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-19, February.
    6. Christian Voegtlin, 2011. "Development of a Scale Measuring Discursive Responsible Leadership," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 98(1), pages 57-73, January.
    7. Abrahamse, Wokje & Steg, Linda, 2009. "How do socio-demographic and psychological factors relate to households' direct and indirect energy use and savings?," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 30(5), pages 711-720, October.
    8. Thomas Maak & Nicola M. Pless, 2006. "Responsible Leadership in a Stakeholder Society – A Relational Perspective," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 66(1), pages 99-115, June.
    9. Jianfeng Jia & Huanxin Liu & Tachia Chin & Dongqing Hu, 2018. "The Continuous Mediating Effects of GHRM on Employees’ Green Passion via Transformational Leadership and Green Creativity," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-18, September.
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