Purpose This study aims to examine the mechanisms through which POES positively influences employees’ voluntary pro-environmental behaviour at work and in private life. Specifically, it analyses the mediating role of supervisors’ voluntary pro-environmental behaviour under the conditioning effect of social loafing within the framework of group dynamics theory. Design/methodology/approach Mediation and multigroup analyses are integrated in this study. The authors compare the proposed indirect effects between two groups of hotel employees organised under the assumption of a social loafing effect. Findings POES strengthens pro-environmental behaviour (PEB) in both the workplace and employees’ private lives, with supervisors’ PEB acting as a key mediating mechanism. In contrast, when employees perceive the group’s PEB as high, their individual contributions decrease, consistent with the social loafing effect. Research limitations/implications Group dynamics is positioned as an essential element within organisational support theory (OST). From an organisational research perspective, integrating group dynamics – particularly the social loafing effect – enriches the existing literature on PEB. Social implications Organisations can influence employees’ environmental efforts not only in the workplace but also in their private lives, an area that remains underexplored. These findings contribute to SDG 12 and SDG 13 by demonstrating how organisations can promote responsible consumption behaviours that extend beyond the workplace. Originality/value Social loafing is identified as a key limiting factor in the promotion of voluntary PEB. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed in light of these findings.
Saifulina et al. (Fri,) studied this question.