The Antecedents of Managers’ Environmental Management Practices and Financially Responsible Behaviour: Examining Managers’ Behaviour in Malaysia’s Environmentally Sensitive Industries

Abstract

There has been an increasing focus on improving pro-environmental intentions and behaviour. This study has primarily assessed a conceptual model focusing on managers’ intentions and financially responsible behaviour. This study examined the direct influence of; managers’ attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural controls, and religiosity in inducing their intentions to perform pro-environmental practices, leading them to conduct financially responsible behaviour in preserving the environment. This conceptual study employed a quantitative approach and was supported by interviews to understand the findings better. A partial least squares structural equation modelling technique was adopted in analysing and interpreting the data. Data were collected from environmental and financial managers in Public Listed Companies (PLCs) using a survey design questionnaire. Specifically, responses were sought from managers from environmentally sensitive industries. Interviews were conducted to understand managers’ behaviour better. The findings of this study revealed that; subjective norms, pressures, and religiosity positively and significantly influenced managers’ intentions to perform pro-environmental practices. However, these intentions did not lead them to execute financially responsible behaviour in preserving the environment. This study’s findings exposed the need for managers to have business and government support to make preserving the environment mandatory and be financially responsible for preserving the environment.