This study aims to investigate how and when work group green advocacy promotes voluntary workplace pro-environmental behavior (VWPB).
Survey data were collected from 225 group members of 60 groups from 8 companies in China. The data were analyzed via multilevel path analysis and the Monte Carlo method.
Integrated regulation to do VWPB positively related to VWPB performance after the effects of identified regulation and intrinsic motivation to do VWPB were controlled. When group cohesiveness was high, integrated regulation to do VWPB mediated the relationship between work group green advocacy and VWPB performance after the mediating effects of identified regulation and intrinsic motivation to do VWPB were controlled.
To promote employees’ VWPB performance when doing VWPB is unpleasant and not aligned with individuals’ personal goals or values, organizations should help to promote both work group green advocacy and group cohesiveness among work groups to facilitate group members’ integrated regulation to do VWPB.
Based on self-determination theory, this study adds value to the current literature by highlighting the unique contribution of integrated regulation in predicting VWPB beyond identified regulation and intrinsic motivation. By demonstrating the moderating effect of group cohesiveness, this study reveals when the mediating role of integrated regulation to do VWPB for the work group green advocacy-VWPB link exists.
