Leveraging the twin transformation: the role of workplace information and communication technology use for employee green behavior

Purpose Understanding how characteristics of the work context may influence employee green behavior (EGB) is essential for organizations to achieve their environmental sustainability goals. So far, however, the role of workplace information and communication technology (ICT) use in influencing EGB is not well understood. Drawing from the concept of “twin transformation” and work design theory, we hypothesize that workplace ICT use is positively associated with four specific dimensions of EGB (i.e. changing work processes, embracing sustainable innovation, monitoring environmental impact, and reducing resource use). Additionally, we explore how perceived environmental impact of work moderates these relations. Design/methodology/approach We collected longitudinal data from N = 2,418 employees in Germany across four monthly measurement waves and analyzed the data using mixed effects models. Findings Workplace ICT use was positively related to embracing sustainable innovation at the between-person level. Additionally, the positive between-person relation between workplace ICT use and reducing resource use was stronger when the perceived environmental impact of work was lower (vs. higher). Furthermore, perceived environmental impact of work moderated the positive within-person relation between workplace ICT use and monitoring environmental impact, such that this relation was stronger when the perceived environmental impact of work was higher (vs. lower). Originality/value This study advances the understanding of how workplace ICT use is related to EGB, providing novel insights into how the “twin transformation” unfolds at the individual level.