Unpacking the role of maximizing decision-making style in employee’s waste sorting intentions: the perspective of comprehensive action determinant model

Purpose Promoting pro-environmental behaviors like proper waste sorting in the workplace is crucial for organizations seeking to reduce their environmental footprint. This study aims to investigate the role of maximizing decision-making style – the tendency to pursue the optimal alternative – on employees’ waste sorting intentions and behaviors through the lens of the comprehensive action determination model. Design/methodology/approach Online survey data collected from 374 Chinese employees. The statistical tool SmartPLS 4.0 was used to analyze the data. Findings The results revealed that maximizing decision-making style positively predicted attitude, personal norm, waste sorting self-efficacy and waste sorting habit, which in turn increased intentions to sort waste properly in the workplace. Originality/value The study highlights the role of decision-making style in promoting waste sorting practices among employees and offers significant theoretical implications for understanding individual differences in environmental decision-making. In addition, it provides practical implications for designing effective workplace sustainability initiatives, including insights into social marketing strategies aimed at fostering sustainable behaviors in organizational settings.