Enablers of sustainable energy management behaviour among property managers: an extended theory of planned behaviour approach

Purpose Significant increases in building energy consumption have drawn global attention because of depleting energy resources and rising carbon emissions. To align with the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and reduce environmental impacts, buildings must be operated sustainably. This study examines the enablers influencing sustainable energy management behaviour among property managers in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach The study extends the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) by incorporating environmental concerns, descriptive norms and moral norms as additional constructs. Data were collected from 97 active property managers, and the relationships among the variables were examined using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) technique. Findings The results revealed that attitude, environmental concern and moral norms significantly influenced property managers' sustainable energy management behaviour. However, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control and descriptive norms showed no significant influence. Practical implications The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, industry practitioners and professional bodies to develop targeted strategies and behavioural interventions that foster sustainable energy management practices within the property management sector. Originality/value This study contributes to the behavioural and sustainability literature by extending the TPB framework to the property management context but also highlights the psychological and moral dimensions underlying energy management behaviour, providing new empirical evidence from Malaysia.