Promoting environmental performance through corporate social responsibility in controversial industry sectors

Using two theoretical lenses-social identity theory (SIT) and organizational citizenship behavior towards environment (OCBE)-the current study examines the impact of employee CSR perceptions on environmental performance via mediation of employee pro-environmental behavior and organizational citizenship behavior towards environment (OCBE) utilizing data from three controversial industry sectors (i.e., hotel, tobacco, oil, and gas). We conducted a multi-time survey (sample n = 282) of employees working in organizations operating in controversial industry sectors to test a serial mediation model. The collected data were analyzed through partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique using Smart PLS 3.3.2. The findings suggest that employee CSR perception significantly influences environmental performance. Furthermore, the mediating effects of employee pro-environmental behavior and OCBE were also found statistically significant. Using theories of SIT and OCBE, this study is an attempt to unveil what is unknown about CSR perception and environmental performance relationships.