Bridging Innovation and Sustainability: A Systematic Review of Innovative Work Behavior and Green Practices
Abstract
This systematic review explores the convergence of innovative work behavior (IWB) and green practices within organizations, aiming to bridge the critical gap between innovation and sustainability. The study synthesizes insights from academic literature to understand how IWB facilitates the adoption and enhancement of green practices and how these practices, in turn, support organizational sustainability. The review investigates the factors influencing employees’ green innovative work behavior (GIWB), identifying key drivers, mediators, and moderators that shape the relationship between environmental corporate social responsibility (ECSR) and GIWB. The findings provide theoretical and practical insights for encouraging sustainability through innovation in the workplace, emphasizing the roles of leadership, organizational culture, and employee engagement. Furthermore, the review highlights challenges and facilitators in incorporating IWB with green practices, featuring successful case studies and best practices across various industries. The study underscores the importance of creating a positive environment for innovation to achieve sustainable outcomes, offering valuable insights for policymakers, managers, and scholars dedicated to advancing the sustainability agenda through innovative approaches. The review concludes with recommendations for future research and practical implications for enhancing the synergy between innovation and sustainability in organizational contexts.
Downloads
References
Aguinis, H., & Glavas, A. (2012). What we know and don’t know about corporate social responsibility: A review and research agenda. Journal of Management, 38(4), 932-968. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206311436079 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206311436079
Afsar, B., Cheema, S., & Javed, F. (2018). Activating employee's pro-environmental behaviors: The role of CSR, organizational identification, and environmentally specific servant leadership. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 25(5), 925-937. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.1510 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.1506
Albort-Morant, G., Leal-Rodríguez, A. L., Fernández-Rodríguez, V., & Ariza-Montes, A. (2018). Assessing the origins, evolution, and prospects of the literature on dynamic capabilities: A bibliometric analysis. European Research on Management and Business Economics, 24(1), 42-51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iedeen.2017.06.004 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iedeen.2017.06.004
Ajzen, I. (1991). The Theory of Planned Behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179-211 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T
Amrutha, V. N. & Geetha, S. N. (2019). A systematic review on green human resource management: Implications for social sustainability. Journal of Cleaner Production. 247. 119131. 10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119131. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119131
Bansal, P., & Roth, K. (2000). Why companies go green: A model of ecological responsiveness. Academy of Management Journal, 43(4), 717-736. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5465/1556363
Bartels, J., Peters, O., de Jong, M., Pruyn, A., & van der Molen, M. (2007). Horizontal and vertical communication as determinants of professional and organizational identification. Personnel Review, 36(5), 677-694. https://doi.org/10.1108/00483480710774060
Bass, B. M., & Riggio, R. E. (2006). Transformational Leadership (2nd ed.). Psychology Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781410617095
Berns, M., Townend, A., Khayat, Z., Balagopal, B., Reeves, M., Hopkins, M. S., & Kruschwitz, N. (2009). The business of sustainability. MIT Sloan Management Review, 51(1), 20-26.
Boiral, O. (2009). Greening the corporation through organizational citizenship behaviors. Journal of Business Ethics, 87(2), 221-236. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-008-9881-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-008-9881-2
Bos-Brouwers, H. E. J. (2010). Corporate sustainability and innovation in SMEs: Evidence of themes and activities in practice. Business Strategy and the Environment, 19(7), 417-435. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.652 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.652
Bocken, N. M. P., Rana, P., & Short, S. W. (2015). Value mapping for sustainable business thinking. Journal of Industrial and Production Engineering, 32(1), 67-81. https://doi.org/10.1080/21681015.2014.1000399 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/21681015.2014.1000399
Bonilla, D., et al. (2018). The Impacts of Digital Technologies on Innovating for Sustainability. Journal of Sustainable Technology, 35(2), 103-120. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10103740 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su10103740
Cantor, D. E., Morrow, P. C., & Montabon, F. L. (2012). Engagement in environmental behaviors among supply chain management employees: An organizational support theoretical perspective. Journal of Supply Chain Management, 48(3), 33-51. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-493X.2012.03270.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-493X.2011.03257.x
Chen, Y., Lai, S., & Wen, C. (2006). The Influence of green innovation performance on corporate advantage in Taiwan. Journal of Business Ethics, 67(4), 331-339. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-006-9023-5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-006-9025-5
Chen, S., & Zhang, X. (2024). Leadership styles, creative self-efficacy, and green innovative work behavior: A moderated mediation model. Journal of Environmental Management, 319, 115830. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115830 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115830
Daily, B. F., Bishop, J. W., & Massoud, J. A. (2012). The role of training and empowerment in environmental performance: A study of the Mexican maquiladora industry. International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 32(5), 631-647. https://doi.org/10.1108/01443571211226524 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/01443571211226524
De Jong, J. P. J., & Den Hartog, D. N. (2010). Measuring innovative work behavior. Creativity and Innovation Management, 19(1), 23-36. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8691.2010.00547.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8691.2010.00547.x
Delmas, M. A., & Toffel, M. W. (2008). Organizational responses to environmental demands: Opening the black box. Strategic Management Journal, 29(10), 1027-1055. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.701 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.701
Denyer, D., & Tranfield, D. (2009). Producing a systematic review. In D. A. Buchanan & A. Bryman (Eds.), The SAGE Handbook of Organizational Research Methods (pp. 671-689). SAGE Publications.
Edwards, J. R., & Cable, D. M. (2009). The value of value congruence. Journal of Applied Psychology, 94(3), 654-677. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0014891 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/a0014891
Fahlevi, M., Poór, J., Wulandari, D., Suharyati, E., & Setiawan, I. (2023). Green transformational leadership and green human resource management on green innovation: The role of green knowledge sharing. Journal of Cleaner Production, 380, 135071. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.135071 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.135071
Gadenne, D. L., Kennedy, J., & McKeiver, C. (2009). An empirical study of environmental awareness and practices in SMEs. Journal of Business Ethics, 84(1), 45-63. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-008-9672-9 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-008-9672-9
Geissdoerfer, M., Savaget, P., Bocken, N. M. P., & Hultink, E. J. (2017). The Circular Economy–A New Sustainability Paradigm? Journal of Cleaner Production, 143, 757-768. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.12.048 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.12.048
Govindarajulu, N. and Daily, B.F. (2004). Motivating employees for environmental improvement. Industrial Management & Data Systems, 104(4), 364-372. https://doi.org/10.1108/02635570410530775 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/02635570410530775
Greaves, M., Zibarras, L. D., & Stride, C. (2013). Using the Theory of Planned Behavior to Explore Environmental Behavioral Intentions in the Workplace. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 34, 109-120. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2013.02.003
Graves, L. M., Sarkis, J., & Zhu, Q. (2013). How transformational leadership and employee motivation combine to predict employee pro-environmental behaviors in China. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 35, 81-91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2013.05.002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2013.05.002
Hanna, M. D., Newman, W. R., & Johnson, P. (2000). Linking operational and environmental improvement through employee involvement. International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 20(2), 148-165 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/01443570010304233
Hart, S. L., & Dowell, G. (2011). A natural-resource-based view of the firm: Fifteen years after. Journal of Management, 37(5), 1464-1479. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206310390219 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206310390219
Janssen, O. (2000). Job demands, perceptions of effort-reward fairness and innovative work behavior. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 73(3), 287-302. https://doi.org/10.1348/096317900167038 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1348/096317900167038
Kay, J., & Newman, R. (2023). Adapting to Climate Change through Green Innovation: The Role of GIWB in Enhancing Corporate Sustainability. Journal of Environmental Management and Policy, 45(4), 310-328
Kristof-Brown, A. L., Zimmerman, R. D., & Johnson, E. C. (2005). Consequences of individuals’ fit at work: A meta-analysis of person–job, person–organization, person–group, and person–supervisor fit. Personnel Psychology, 58(2), 281-342. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6570.2005.00672.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6570.2005.00672.x
Legault, L., et al. (2016). The Role of Employee Engagement in Promoting Innovative Work Behavior: Implications for Organizational Agility. Journal of Organizational Psychology, 12(3), 150-162.
Li, X., Zhang, Y., & Zhang, X. (2023). Employee green innovation and corporate sustainability: A moderated mediation model. Journal of Environmental Management, 320, 115820. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115820 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115820
Lo, S. H., Peters, G. J., & Kok, G. (2012). A Review of Determinants of and Interventions for Proenvironmental Behaviors in Organizations. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 42(12), 2933-2967. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1559-1816.2012.00969.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1559-1816.2012.00969.x
Lülfs, R., & Hahn, R. (2013). Corporate greening beyond formal programs, initiatives, and systems: A conceptual model for voluntary pro-environmental behavior of employees. European Management Review, 10(2), 83-98. https://doi.org/10.1111/emre.12008 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/emre.12008
Lukes, M., & Stephan, U. (2017). Measuring employee innovation. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 38(2), 266-287. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.2041 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/job.2041
Ma Prieto, I., & Pérez-Santana, P. (2014). Managing innovative work behavior: The role of human resource practices. Personnel Review, 43(2), 184-208. https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-11-2012-0199 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-11-2012-0199
Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., Altman, D. G., & The PRISMA Group. (2009). Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: The PRISMA statement. PLoS Medicine, 6(7), e1000097. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000097 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000097
Newman, A., Nielsen, I., & Miao, Q. (2015). The impact of employee perceptions of organizational corporate social responsibility practices on job performance and organizational citizenship behavior: Evidence from the Chinese private sector. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 26(9), 1226-1242. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2014.934892 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2014.934892
Norton, T. A., Zacher, H., & Ashkanasy, N. M. (2014). Organizational sustainability policies and employee green behavior: The mediating role of work climate perceptions. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 38, 49-54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2013.12.008 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2013.12.008
Ones, D. S., & Dilchert, S. (2012). Environmental sustainability at work: A call to action. Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 5(4), 444-466. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1754-9434.2012.01478.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1754-9434.2012.01478.x
Parker, C. M., Redmond, J., & Simpson, M. (2009). A review of interventions to encourage SMEs to make environmental improvements. Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy, 27(2), 279-301. https://doi.org/10.1068/c0859b DOI: https://doi.org/10.1068/c0859b
Petticrew, M., & Roberts, H. (2006). Systematic Reviews in the Social Sciences: A Practical Guide. Blackwell Publishing. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470754887
Qadir, A., & Chaudhry, A. A. (2024). The impact of green entrepreneurial self-efficacy on innovative work behavior: The moderating role of entrepreneurial attitudes. Journal of Business Research, 143, 537-546. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.10.035
Ramus, C. A., & Steger, U. (2000). The roles of supervisory support behaviors and environmental policy in employee “eco-initiatives” at leading-edge European companies. Academy of Management Journal, 43(4), 605-626. https://doi.org/10.2307/1556357 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5465/1556357
Rennings, K. (2000). "Redefining innovation—eco-innovation research and the contribution from ecological economics." Ecological Economics, 32(2), 319-332. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0921-8009(99)00112-3
Renwick, D. W. S., Redman, T., & Maguire, S. (2013). Green human resource management: A review and research agenda. International Journal of Management Reviews, 15(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2370.2011.00328.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2370.2011.00328.x
Robertson, J. L., & Barling, J. (2013). Greening organizations through leaders’ influence on employees’ pro-environmental behaviors. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 34(2), 176-194. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.1820 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/job.1820
Samat, N., Abdullah, M., & Rahman, S. A. (2019). Leadership styles and innovative work behavior: The mediating role of innovative climate. Journal of Business Research, 104, 199-206. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.06.007 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.06.007
Stern, P. C. (2000). New environmental theories: Toward a coherent theory of environmentally significant behavior. Journal of Social Issues, 56(3), 407-424. https://doi.org/10.1111/0022-4537.00175 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/0022-4537.00175
Tierney, P., & Farmer, S. M. (2002). Creative self-efficacy: Its potential antecedents and relationship to creative performance. Academy of Management Journal, 45(6), 1137-1148. https://doi.org/10.2307/3069429 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5465/3069429
Unilever. (2014). Unilever sustainable living plan: Progress report 2014. Unilever. Retrieved from https://www.unilever.com/sustainable-living/our-strategy/unilever-sustainable-living-plan/
Walker, H., Di Sisto, L., & McBain, D. (2008). Drivers and barriers to environmental supply chain management practices: Lessons from the public and private sectors. Journal of Purchasing and Supply Management, 14(1), 69-85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pursup.2008.01.007 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pursup.2008.01.007
Widodo, T., & Mawarto, M. (2020). The role of innovative work behavior in green supply chain practices and its impact on environmental performance. Journal of Cleaner Production, 255, 120284. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120284 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120284
Whelan, T., & Fink, C. (2016). The comprehensive business case for sustainability. Harvard Business Review, 94(10), 78-85.
Young, W., Hwang, K., McDonald, S., & Oates, C. J. (2015). Sustainable consumption: Green consumer behavior when purchasing products. Sustainable Development, 18(1), 20-31. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.394 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.394
Zientara, P., & Zamojska, A. (2018). Green Organizational climates and Employee Pro-environmental behavior in the hotel industry. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 26(7), 1142-1159. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2017.1368396 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2016.1206554
Zhang, X., Jiang, Y., & Qu, W. (2020). The role of corporate social responsibility in enhancing employee creative self-efficacy and promoting green innovation. Journal of Cleaner Production, 253, 119927. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.119927
Copyright (c) 2024 Mukhiffun Mukapit
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Author (s) should affirm that the material has not been published previously. It has not been submitted and it is not under consideration by any other journal. At the same time author (s) need to execute a publication permission agreement to assume the responsibility of the submitted content and any omissions and errors therein. After submission of revised paper in the light of suggestions of the reviewers, the editorial team edits and formats manuscripts to bring uniformity and standardization in published material.
This work will be licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) and under condition of the license, users are free to read, copy, remix, transform, redistribute, download, print, search or link to the full texts of articles and even build upon their work as long as they credit the author for the original work. Moreover, as per journal policy author (s) hold and retain copyrights without any restrictions.