Promoting voluntary workplace green behavior through green human resource management practices: the role of environmental knowledge and green employee empowerment

Purpose This study aims to investigate the mediating role of environmental knowledge and the moderating effect of green employee empowerment (GEE) on the relationship between green human resource management (GHRM) and voluntary workplace green behavior (VWGB). Design/methodology/approach Path regression analysis and bootstrap technique in SPSS PROCESS macro are used to analyze the findings of a sample of 301 employees in Vietnam. Findings The results indicate that GHRM positively influences VWGB through environmental knowledge. Interestingly, the findings reveal that GEE attenuates this mediated relationship. Practical implications The findings suggest that managers should enhance the implementation of GHRM to promote employee environmental knowledge, which in turn encourages them to engage in voluntary workplace green behavior. However, in the context of Vietnam, GEE may create pressure on employees, causing stress in their work attitude and resulting in dissatisfaction if support is lacking or if policies are not consistently implemented. Originality/value This study is the first one to examine the effect of GHRM on voluntary workplace green behavior through environmental knowledge and the moderating role of GEE in this indirect relationship.