ABSTRACT

Purpose: In today's world, environmental sustainability holds significant importance. Employees, particularly those in higher education institutions in China, are strategically positioned to advocate for and implement green practices. Purpose: This study investigates the impact of responsible leadership on the green behaviour of staff in Chinese universities, with psychological capital serving as a mediating variable and organizational ethical climate acting as a moderating factor. Method: A survey involving 568 employees from universities in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shandong provinces was conducted. Data were gathered through a structured questionnaire and analysed using structural equation modelling to evaluate the proposed hypotheses. Findings: The results reveal that responsible leadership has a significant and positive impact on employees’ green behaviours. Psychological capital partially mediates this relationship, and organizational ethical climate positively moderates it. These findings suggest that strengthening responsible leadership, boosting psychological capital, and cultivating a positive organizational ethical climate can effectively enhance the green behaviour of university employees. Implications: University management should focus on recruiting and developing individuals with a strong sense of responsibility, including environmental awareness. Additionally, emphasis should be placed on developing employees’ psychological capital and fostering a positive organizational ethical climate. These efforts will contribute significantly to the responsible use of natural resources within the institution and support the broader goal of promoting environmental sustainability.