3523 - WHEN ORGANIZATIONS SET THE NORM: HOW CORPORATE ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY (CER) NORMS SHAPE PRO-ENVIRONMENTAL BEHAVIORS ACROSS CONTEXTS

Session: 3520 - THE POWER OF NORMS: HARNESSING SOCIAL INFLUENCE FOR PRO-ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION
AUTHORS:
Milani Alessandro (Department of Psychology of Developmental and Socialization Processes, Sapienza University of Rome ~ Rome ~ Italy) , Bonaiuto Flavia (Department of Human and Social Sciences, Universitas Mercatorum, Italy ~ Rome ~ Italy) , Cicero Lavinia (Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, eCampus University, Novedrate (Como), Italy ~ Novedrate (Como) ~ Italy) , Ganucci Cancellieri Uberta (University for Foreigners "Dante Alighieri" of Reggio Calabria, Italy ~ Reggio Calabria ~ Italy) , Liu Xiaotian (Department of Psychology of Developmental and Socialization Processes, Sapienza University of Rome ~ Rome ~ Italy) , Mao Yanhui (Southwest Jiaotong University, China ~ Chengdu ~ China) , Mura Alessandro Lorenzo (Department of Education, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, Italy ~ Cagliari ~ Italy) , Tseng Tzuhui Angie (National Tsing Hua University, Taiwan ~ Hsinchu ~ Taiwan) , Vitiello Marco Cristian (Studio Saperessere Srl, Italy ~ Rome ~ Italy) , Xie Mei (Department of Psychology of Developmental and Socialization Processes, Sapienza University of Rome ~ Rome ~ Italy) , Bonaiuto Marino (Department of Psychology of Developmental and Socialization Processes, Sapienza University of Rome ~ Rome ~ Italy)
Abstract text:
According to the Focus Theory of Normative Conduct, social norms can be categorized as descriptive (perceptions of what is commonly done in a given situation) and injunctive (perceptions of what is widely approved/disapproved within a culture). Although the theory's definition does not explicitly restrict these beliefs to peers' behaviors and attitudes, the literature primarily focuses on norms as perceptions of what others within a specific reference group do and approve of.
Shifting this perspective, the present research considers how, within organizational settings, actions taken by the organization and what the organization promotes or deems important may be perceived by employees as descriptive and injunctive norms. A series of experimental and correlational studies investigates Corporate Environmental Responsibility (CER) norms, i.e., employees' beliefs about their organization's engagement in environmentally protective practices and what the organization values in terms of environmental sustainability.
The research explores the influence of CER norms on group- and organization-related outcomes such as collective efficacy regarding pro-environmental behaviors and affective organizational commitment. Similarly, the research explores the influence of CER norms on pro-environmental outcomes (attitudes and intentions) in the workplace, and whether promoting pro-environmental outcomes in the workplace, may lead to positive spill over in the domestic setting.
Finally, by surveying employees from public and private organizations across the Italian and Chinese (China Mainland and Taiwan) language contexts, the study analyzes how participants' cultural tightness/looseness may influence the impact of CER norms on organizational and domestic outcomes. These normative behaviors, indeed, may differ
in countries like China, where adherence to norms is generally stricter than in Western countries.
Results show CER norms do not always directly influence pro-environmental outcomes. Instead, by fostering specific group-level dynamics within the organization, these norms indirectly promote the enactment of pro-environmental outcomes in the organizational and domestic contexts.
Participant's cultural tightness influences these relationship.