Explicating energy saving intention from the prospect of small medium enterprises

Abstract

Saving energy at workplaces has become a major concern in enterprises because it offers a valuable opportunity to reduce energy consumption and lessen carbon dioxide emissions, which affect the global climate change and human health. This study integrated and extended both theories of planned behavior and social information processing to identify key determinants that influence on middle managers’ energy saving intention at workplaces. By using the Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) method to scrutinize a data survey of 336 middle managers in small medium enterprises located in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam. The findings confirmed the central role of top management support in stimulating middle managers to engage in energy saving responsibility. Moreover, under social pressure, managers are willing to change and enhance subordinates to reduce energy consumption. Meanwhile, perceived environmental responsibility has a significant indirect impact on energy saving intention through proactive behavior, but not a direct impact. Based on the results, this study enriched the literature on energy saving behavior and drew managerial implications for enterprises.