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

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.