Microfoundations of Environmental Strategy: How Support and Climate Influence Proximal vs. Distal Employee Green Behaviours

Maguire, Duncan, Michaelides, George ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4224-7728 and Tregaskis, Olga ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9954-5152 (2026) Microfoundations of Environmental Strategy: How Support and Climate Influence Proximal vs. Distal Employee Green Behaviours. Business Strategy and the Environment. ISSN 0964-4733 (In Press)

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Abstract

Employee green behaviour (EGB) is essential for advancing organizational sustainability, yet the role of emotional support mechanisms in fostering different types of EGB remains underexamined. This study examines how perceived organizational support (POS), perceived supervisory support (PSS), and affective commitment interact with a green organizational climate to predict EGB. Distinguishing between proximal (low-complexity) and distal (high-complexity) EGB led to novel understandings of predictive social exchange mechanisms. Using survey data from 408 employees in the UK and USA, results indicate that POS primarily predicts distal EGB, while PSS relates more closely to proximal EGB. Affective commitment emerges as an important mediator for the effects of POS and PSS. Critically, green organizational climate strengthens these relationships, particularly for distal behaviours. These findings highlight the importance of combining supportive workplace relationships with pro-environmental norms to encourage more meaningful sustainability behaviours in employees. This research also informs practical interventions that balance climate initiatives with support in the workplace.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	employee green behaviour,behavioural complexity,organizational support,supervisory support,green organizational climate
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Norwich Business School Faculty of Science > Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research University of East Anglia Research Groups/Centres > Faculty of Science > Research Centres > Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Employment Systems and Institutions
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	07 Jul 2026 16:30
Last Modified:	07 Jul 2026 16:30
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/103781
DOI:	issn:0964-4733

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