Exploring sustainability cross-culturally: Employees' beliefs on green behaviors

摘要

This study explores antecedent beliefs associated with green workplace behaviors within various cultures. Semi-directed interviews were conducted with non-academic employees of Canadian and Colombian universities in order to identify their beliefs towards two studied behaviors, such as using alternative transportation on the way to the university and making eco-suggestions at work. Two researchers, applying the fundamentals of the theory of planned behavior, analyzed the interviews and identified pertinent behavioral, normative and control beliefs. Results of the study indicate that cultural and contextual specificities have a non-negligible effect on intentions to engage in pro-environmental workplace behaviors. Certain factors that impeded or facilitated the intention to engage in the studied behaviors were present only in transcripts from one country. Moreover, participants from Canada mentioned various beliefs significantly, more frequently, in comparison with Colombian respondents. Findings of this research indicate the necessity to differentiate practical recommendations depending on the behavior and the cultural context.