Understanding the Drivers of Workplace Pro-Environmental Behavior:The Role of Biospheric Values and Efficacy Beliefs

Introduction<br/>Achieving the goal of limiting global warming requires concerted efforts across all sectors, including workplaces (IPCC, 2022, 2023). Workplace pro-environmental behaviours (WPEBs) involve actions focused on the direct, individual impact employees can make through their work tasks in their job role, while workplace everyday environmental activism (WEEA) refers to advocacy, motivating others, and promoting system-level changes. Despite their importance, limited research exists on the factors driving these behaviours in the workplace.<br/><br/>Goals &amp; Objectives<br/>This study examines the role of personal and perceived organisational biospheric values, self - and outcome efficacy in fostering WPEBs and WEEA. We aim to determine how individual and organisational factors influence both direct behavioural changes and system-level advocacy.<br/><br/>Materials &amp; Methods<br/>The study combines questionnaire data with an experimental design. Tailored interventions are designed to enhance both self-efficacy and outcome efficacy. Participants are hypothesised to exhibit increased engagement in WPEBs and WEEA following these interventions. This builds on earlier findings demonstrating the importance of efficacy in mediating the relationship between biospheric values and workplace behaviours (Wagner et al., 2024).<br/><br/>Results<br/>Preliminary results from a pilot study confirm the hypothesised relationships. Employees with stronger biospheric values and heightened efficacy beliefs demonstrated greater involvement in both WPEBs and WEEA. A larger-scale experiment is planned to validate and extend these findings.<br/><br/>Conclusions<br/>Our findings offer actionable insights for organisational leaders and policymakers. We propose practical interventions for enhancing efficacy beliefs that effectively promote workplace pro-environmental behaviours, supporting broader sustainability goals.