{"title":"Eco-green mirage: investigating turnover intention as organizational turbulence through perceived greenwashing, cynicism and alienation","authors":"Shalini Srivastava, Anubhuti Saxena, Ayatakshee Sarkar","doi":"10.1108/srj-10-2023-0599","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<h3>Purpose</h3>\n<p>Using social and moral identity theory, this study aims to investigate the influence of perceived greenwashing on employee work attitudes by using social and moral identity theory. By examining the relationships between perceived greenwashing, employee cynicism, work alienation and turnover intention, this study unveils essential mechanisms that shed light on the complex relationship between these variables.</p><!--/ Abstract__block -->\n<h3>Design/methodology/approach</h3>\n<p>The study gathered data from a sample of 267 employees in the service industry and used variance-based structuring equation modeling to test the hypothesized associations. The results of the study indicated a positive relationship between perceived greenwashing and turnover intention.</p><!--/ Abstract__block -->\n<h3>Findings</h3>\n<p>Employee cynicism and work alienation emerged as crucial mediating factors, revealing the underlying psychological dynamics linking perceived greenwashing to turnover intention. Moreover, the study identified organizational pride as a powerful moderator that mitigates the adverse effects of greenwashing on employee attitudes.</p><!--/ Abstract__block -->\n<h3>Practical implications</h3>\n<p>Genuine and transparent environmental practices are crucial in the service industry to avoid misleading claims, safeguard reputation and establish trust. Leaders should exemplify genuine commitment to environmental practices, serving as role models. Regular and honest feedback mechanisms should be established to gauge employee perceptions of the organization’s environmental initiatives. Educating employees about the signs of deceptive practices can empower them to make informed judgments, reducing the likelihood of falling victim to misrepresentations and mitigating associated negative outcomes.</p><!--/ Abstract__block -->\n<h3>Originality/value</h3>\n<p>The current research seeks to shed light on the profound impact of greenwashing on employees, an area that has been surprisingly overlooked. The study responds to the call of the antecedents that influence employees’ intentions to leave their organizations. The study explored the vital relationship between perceived greenwashing and employee attitudes, thereby contributing valuable insights to the existing literature on the sustainable practices of organizations, particularly those in the service industry.</p><!--/ Abstract__block -->","PeriodicalId":47615,"journal":{"name":"Social Responsibility Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.9000,"publicationDate":"2024-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Social Responsibility Journal","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1108/srj-10-2023-0599","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"MANAGEMENT","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Purpose
Using social and moral identity theory, this study aims to investigate the influence of perceived greenwashing on employee work attitudes by using social and moral identity theory. By examining the relationships between perceived greenwashing, employee cynicism, work alienation and turnover intention, this study unveils essential mechanisms that shed light on the complex relationship between these variables.
Design/methodology/approach
The study gathered data from a sample of 267 employees in the service industry and used variance-based structuring equation modeling to test the hypothesized associations. The results of the study indicated a positive relationship between perceived greenwashing and turnover intention.
Findings
Employee cynicism and work alienation emerged as crucial mediating factors, revealing the underlying psychological dynamics linking perceived greenwashing to turnover intention. Moreover, the study identified organizational pride as a powerful moderator that mitigates the adverse effects of greenwashing on employee attitudes.
Practical implications
Genuine and transparent environmental practices are crucial in the service industry to avoid misleading claims, safeguard reputation and establish trust. Leaders should exemplify genuine commitment to environmental practices, serving as role models. Regular and honest feedback mechanisms should be established to gauge employee perceptions of the organization’s environmental initiatives. Educating employees about the signs of deceptive practices can empower them to make informed judgments, reducing the likelihood of falling victim to misrepresentations and mitigating associated negative outcomes.
Originality/value
The current research seeks to shed light on the profound impact of greenwashing on employees, an area that has been surprisingly overlooked. The study responds to the call of the antecedents that influence employees’ intentions to leave their organizations. The study explored the vital relationship between perceived greenwashing and employee attitudes, thereby contributing valuable insights to the existing literature on the sustainable practices of organizations, particularly those in the service industry.
期刊介绍:
The Social Responsibility Journal, the official journal of the Social Responsibility Research Network, is interdisciplinary in its scope and encourages submissions from any discipline or any part of the world which addresses any element of the journal''s aims. The journal encompasses the full range of theoretical, methodological and substantive debates in the area of social responsibility. Contributions which address the link between different disciplines and / or implications for societal, organisational or individual behavior are especially encouraged. The journal publishes theoretical and empirical papers, speculative essays and review articles. The journal also publishes special themed issues under the guidance of a guest editor. Coverage: Accountability and accounting- Issues concerning sustainability- Economy and finance- Governance- Stakeholder interactions- Ecology and environment- Corporate activity and behaviour- Ethics and morality- Governmental and trans-governmental regulation- Globalisation and disintermediation- Individuals and corporate citizenship- Transparency and disclosure- Consumption and its consequences- Corporate and other forms of organization