Role of green manufacturing practices on green knowledge and employee green behaviour in the manufacturing sector in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The entire world faces severe environmental problems that represent a threat to the planet’s existence. Thus, protecting the environment, minimising environmental degradation, and safeguarding the earth’s natural resources are crucial. Hence, Companies in the manufacturing industry need to implement green initiatives to adhere to the initiatives of global environmental standards. The success of these companies’ efforts is mainly determined by how employees participate in the implementation process. Moreover, manufacturers worldwide are being pushed to embrace green manufacturing practices by raising the environmental knowledge of employees. Thus, this study investigated the direct and indirect impact of green manufacturing practices (GMP) on employee green behaviour (EGB) along with employee green knowledge (EGK) as the mediator of this study. Four hypotheses were formed to support the arguments based on an exhaustive literature review. The sample size was 350 employees working in the furniture, paper and paper products in Sri Lanka. Structural equation modelling (SEM) is used to test the hypotheses. The results revealed a positive impact of GMP on EGB and EGK. Further, EGK influenced EGB as well. Though EGK acts as a mediator between GMP and EGB, it is not particularly powerful.