Using Values, Beliefs, and Norms to Predict Conserving Behaviors in Organizations

Although micro‐level research on corporate social responsibility (CSR) has started to grow , little is known about the antecedents of employee conserving behaviors . (e . g ., recycling , repurposing or reusing materials , and saving energy) . Conserving behaviors can be explained by the individual‐level psychographic variables captured by the values‐beliefs‐norms (VBN) framework . Given the mixed empirical findings of previous VBN applications in organizations , this paper examines the full VBN model within a workplace context and extends the model by analyzing the effects of VBN variables on employee conserving behaviors . A quantitative survey with a sample of 714 UK office‐based employees across a range of industries is utilized and data are analyzed using a Smart PLS approach . We find direct and indirect effects among the VBN variables: in particular , personal norms strongly affect all conserving behaviors studied , highlighting the relevance of norming interventions in organizations . Theoretical and managerial implications are provided .