Nudging employees for corporate sustainability: a systematic evidence map

Leonie Decrinis and Lucia A. Reisch

Chapter 9 in Research Handbook on Nudges and Society, 2023, pp 152-173 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Organisations are increasingly under pressure to deliver on their promises of corporate sustainability. One approach is to enhance sustainable choices in the workplace. This chapter compiles knowledge from 51 articles (70 empirical studies) on behaviourally informed interventions (nudges) applied in organisations to promote employee sustainable behaviour across environmental, social and governance criteria. We systematically map and synthesise information on (a) target persons, (b) barriers to behaviour change, (c) nudging types and mechanisms, and (d) behavioural outcomes into a coherent framework. Our findings highlight notable gaps, methodological limitations and imbalances in prior literature. With most attention directed to the effects of social norms, there is a lack of studies evaluating affective nudging mechanisms and emotional barriers to behaviour change. Regarding the behavioural outcomes, existing studies mainly focus on changes in workplace routines concerning resource conservation and employee wellbeing. Key knowledge gaps relate to high-impact decisions that enhance the sustainability of work products and processes. We also note a lack of cross-cultural studies. To address the identified issues, we establish an agenda for future research, focused on four main challenges with practical relevance.

Keywords: Economics and Finance; Law - Academic; Politics and Public Policy General Academic Interest (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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