A Qualitative Study of Factors Influencing Employee Ecological Behavior of Academics in Higher Education

Employee ecological behavior (EEB) of academics has emerged as the most crucial factor for facilitating universities to move towards being low-carbon campuses. The purpose of this study was to determine how EEB is influenced by other factors so as to enhance academics' environmentally friendly behavior at Malaysian universities for sustainability. The study used the qualitative method. Data were collected through semi-structured face-to-face interviews with focus group academics of Malaysian top four universities. Based on the themes observed from the interview transcripts, the factors influencing EEB of academics were organizational factors (green top management support and green organizational climate), environmental factors (environmental knowledge, environmental attitude, environmental consciousness, and environmental awareness) and individual factors (green mindfulness and green self-efficacy). The scope of this study was limited to public research universities in Malaysia. Future studies may explore other variables that may further influence EEB. The study's findings may form the basis for drafting policies that will help enhance academics' environmentally friendly behavior. Research on EEB in Malaysia has been very limited. This study contributes to the current literature by providing a discussion on how academics' EEB is influenced by environmental, organizational, and individual factors. High academics' EEB will facilitate universities to become more sustainable and environmentally friendly.