Too much of a good thing? exploring the inverted U-shaped relationship between perceived CSR and voluntary pro-environmental behavior in luxury hotels

Previous research has suggested that perceived corporate social responsibility (CSR) indirectly influences hotel employees’ voluntary pro-environmental behavior. Drawing upon the social exchange theory and the "too-much-of-a-good-thing" effect, this study proposes that the relationship between perceived CSR and employee voluntary pro-environmental behavior can be nonlinear, mediated by felt obligation. Using survey data collected from 603 employees working in China Macau’s four-and five-star hotels, we found that the relationship between perceived CSR and felt obligation follows an inverted U-shape, while felt obligation is positively associated with voluntary pro-environmental behavior. Consequently, felt obligation mediates the nonlinear indirect effect of perceived CSR on voluntary pro-environmental behavior. These findings contribute to the literature on micro-CSR and employees’ discretionary behavior, offering practical implications for luxury hotels aiming to promote employees' pro-environmental actions.