Environmental initiatives in organizations: the effects of employees' perceptions of the costs and benefits on increased participation

Purpose Employees play an essential role in the implementation and success of organizations' environmental initiatives (EIs). This study tested an expanded theory of planned behavior (TPB) model of employees' participation in their organizations' EIs, examining the effects of employees' perceptions of the costs and benefits of participation (to themselves, their organization and society) on their attitudes to participation, intentions to increase participation and reported increases in participation two months later. Design/methodology/approach Aligning with TPB research best practices, purpose-specific scales were developed and piloted. A sample of 206 employed US workers then completed a survey measuring the model's variables. Two months later, 110 participants completed an additional survey measuring increases in initiative participation. Findings Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated a good fit between the data and the measurement model. Structural equation modeling similarly demonstrated a good fit with the theoretical model. Personal and organizational benefits predicted attitudes to participation in EIs and indirectly predicted intentions to increase participation. Personal, organizational and societal costs and societal benefits, showed limited predictive ability. Originality/value Employees' cost and benefit perceptions are understudied antecedents to workplace pro-environmental behaviors. Our unique model, including costs and benefits at the personal, organizational and societal level, was supported and provides a foundation for further research on costs' and benefits' effects on initiative participation. Drawing employees' attention to personal and organizational benefits of initiative participation through internal marketing, or enhancing actual benefits, may increase participation and help organizations to achieve their sustainability goals.