In Search of Sustainable Behaviour: The Role of Core Values and Personality Traits

Joel Marcus () and Jason Roy ()
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Joel Marcus: York University
Jason Roy: Wilfrid Laurier University

Journal of Business Ethics, 2019, vol. 158, issue 1, No 4, 63-79

Abstract: Abstract Understanding the individual-level factors associated with sustainable behaviour in the workplace is important to advance corporate ethics and sustainability efforts. In two studies, we simultaneously assess the role of core values and personality traits in relation to a broad set of sustainability actions, both beneficial and harmful. Results from a student sample (N = 411) and then a national sample (N = 639) confirm that values and personality are distinct constructs that incrementally and differentially predict economic, social, and environmental outcomes. We successfully replicate previous findings pertaining to values and find that, controlling for values, the personality dimension of Honesty–Humility is the strongest negative predictor of harmful actions. Our analyses highlight the unique characteristics of values and personality and their distinct implications for ethical and sustainable management practice. By assessing values and personality together, we also contribute to more general efforts within psychology to develop an integrative view of the person.

Keywords: Sustainability; Values; Personality; HEXACO (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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DOI: 10.1007/s10551-017-3682-4

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