Does Investment in Green Employee Development Climate Matter for Environmental Commitment and Green Well-Being? A Case Study of a Palm Oil Company in Malaysia

Abstract

Drawing on social exchange theory and stakeholder responses to corporate social responsibility model, this study aimed to examine if the cross-level impacts of perceived investment in green employee development climate (PIGED) on environmental commitment (EC) and green well-being (GWB) were mediated by green person-job fit and green growth need strength. We collected a total of 412 employees and 80 operating units from a leading palm-oil company in Malaysia. The multilevel regression analysis found the cross-level effects of PIGED on EC and GWB that were partially mediated by green person-job fit and green growth need strength. Due to incomplete understanding of more dynamic relationships at the cross-level analysis, this study contributes a nuanced understanding of psychological mechanism of PIGED and its beneficial values for employees to develop quality of relationships between organizations and employees. Human resource professionals can leverage on PIGED across units at multiple locations to create beneficial values to employees’ jobs and their personal growth desire which can promote EC and GWB.