Greenwashing effects inside organizations: How does it affect organizational citizenship behaviours for the environment (OCBEs)?

Purpose

Based on social and moral identification theories, this investigation aims to analyse how corporate greenwashing impacts employees' organizational citizenship behaviours for the environment (OCBEs), both directly and through job satisfaction and affective commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collected from a questionnaire administered to 398 Portuguese employees who recognized greenwashing practices in their employer firms was analysed using structural equation modelling techniques through AMOS.

Findings

The results show that greenwashing has destructive effects on job satisfaction, affective commitment and OCBEs. This means that in the presence of greenwashing, the work environment is impacted to such an extent that employees are less eager to give their best: their voluntary actions aimed at environmental improvement fade. Thus, greenwashing adversely affects OCBEs, both directly and through job satisfaction and affective commitment.

Originality/value

This study advances the human resources management literature by providing an improved insight into the harmful consequences of greenwashing on employees' emotions and, consequently, their voluntary engagement in environmental extra-role activities that are not directly related to their contractual duties.