Exploring the Contribution of Green Innovative Work Behavior to Organizational Sustainability
Keywords:
eco-innovation, employee engagement, green human resource management, organizational sustainability, workplace behaviorAbstract
Green Innovative Work Behavior (GIWB) has emerged as a critical behavioral dimension that supports the intersection between individual creativity and environmental sustainability within organizational contexts. This study explores how employees proactive and voluntary engagement in green innovation contributes to broader organizational sustainability goals. Employing a qualitative research approach, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 12 employees from diverse industries in Indonesia. Thematic analysis revealed three core themes: personal environmental values as intrinsic drivers, the enabling role of organizational support and leadership, and the manifestation of GIWB through various workplace initiatives. Employees often initiated green behaviors not as part of formal responsibilities, but from internal motivations aligned with ecological values. Moreover, a supportive organizational climate characterized by leadership role-modeling and green human resource practices, was found to reinforce the emergence and consistency of GIWB. These behaviors included reducing material waste, optimizing processes to save energy, and digitalizing work systems to minimize environmental impact. The findings suggest that GIWB not only enhances organizational innovation but also embeds sustainability into everyday work practices. This research contributes to the growing literature on sustainable work behavior by providing empirical evidence on the antecedents and expressions of GIWB in developing country contexts. Practical implications include the need for organizations to nurture a green-supportive culture and provide structural mechanisms that encourage eco-innovation. In doing so, organizations can leverage employees’ creativity to achieve long-term environmental and operational performance. Further studies are recommended to investigate GIWB across various sectors and its longitudinal effects on corporate sustainability.
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