Determinants of hotel employees’ electricity saving intention: extending the theory of planned behaviour

Abstract

The hospitality industry including hotels makes a significant contribution to job creation and the gross domestic product of many countries. However, the negative environmental effects of hotels include high electricity consumption and emission of green house gases. Employees can help to improve workplace pro-environmental behaviour but the determinants of their electricity saving behaviour has not received thorough empirical investigation. Grounded on on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), the study examined the determinants of hotel employees’ electricity saving intention (ESI). The study extended the TPB by adding two constructs (environmental concern and organisational climate) to the three TPB constructs. Data was collected through the cross-sectional survey method and the Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling was used for data analysis. The results showed significant positive relationships between two TPB constructs (attitude and perceived behavioral control) and hotel employees’ ESI. In addition, the effects of the two added constructs are significant. Theoretically, the study extended the TPB by adding two constructs and linking them to employees’ ESI in the hospitality industry. Recommendations include workplace training on electricity saving.