New research reveals a link between employer environmental practices and employee charity.
- Employees show more generosity when their employers engage in eco-friendly practices.
- Environmental corporate social responsibility (ECSR) boosts employee donations and volunteering.
- Conversely, negative environmental practices deter employee charitable behaviour.
- Employers have a significant influence on employee prosocial actions and identity.
Recent research conducted by Mannheim Business School highlights the powerful impact of employer environmental practices on employee charitable behaviour. The studies demonstrate that employees are more inclined to make donations and volunteer for good causes when they perceive their organisation as environmentally responsible. This is attributed to the positive role of Environmental Corporate Social Responsibility (ECSR), which includes activities like pollution reduction and resource conservation.
The researchers, Dr. Irmela Koch-Bayram and Prof. Dr. Torsten Biemann, structured three distinct experiments to explore this dynamic. The first study involved informing workers about their employers’ ecological activities before assessing their willingness to engage in volunteer work. The second experiment targeted students, measuring their propensity to donate when affiliated with start-ups practising either ECSR or its opposite, Environmental Corporate Social Irresponsibility (ECSIR). The final study expanded the scope to employees across multiple industries, examining their ECSR and ECSIR perceptions alongside their willingness to volunteer.
The findings were consistent: organisations with strong ECSR initiatives significantly elevated employee motivations to support charitable activities compared to those with harmful ecological practices. This research underscores how an employer’s commitment to the environment can shape not only its public image but also enhance employees’ personal engagement in environmental and social causes.
Dr. Koch-Bayram emphasises that companies influence environmental issues not only through direct actions but also by shaping employee behaviour. A key factor here is the enhancement of environmental self-identity (ESI) among employees, which relates to how individuals perceive themselves concerning the environment. Employees with heightened ESI, fostered by positive employer actions, are more likely to engage in sustainable practices personally.
The studies further reveal that recalling positive ECSR activities boosts ESI, while negative experiences increase feelings of guilt. Therefore, businesses have an ethical duty to adopt environmentally conscious practices, as these not only benefit the planet but also foster positive behavioural changes in employees. Furthermore, policy-makers are urged to enforce regulations to ensure organisational responsibility, thereby positively influencing employee actions.
Employers play a crucial role in influencing their employees’ charitable behaviour through their environmental practices.
