Sustaining the Earth: Unraveling the Synergy of Workplace Spirituality, Responsible Leadership, and Pro-Environmental Behavior in Pakistan’s SMEs

PURPOSE: The purpose of this research is to investigate the synergistic impact of workplace spirituality (WPS), responsible leadership (RL), and pro-environmental behavior (PEB) within the context of Pakistan’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) along with the mediating mechanism of Affective commitment (AC). METHODS: Our study utilizes structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze survey data collected from 390 employees within Pakistani SMEs. We develop a single unified framework to test the hypothesized relationships between RL, PEB, and AC as a mediator. RESULTS: Our results unveil significant positive relationships between WPS, RL, and PEB. Our findings endorse both the direct connections between WPS, RL, and PEB, as well as the mediating mechanisms through AC. This study offers novel insights into the influence of PEB in the context of Pakistan’s SMEs. CONCLUSION: The research significantly contributes to the existing literature by examining WPS, RL, PEB, and AC in the context of Pakistan’s SMEs. The study’s conclusions emphasize the potential benefits of integrating WPS and RL into business practices to encourage PEB. Additionally, we discuss the limitations of our research and suggest future avenues for further exploration in this vital area of sustainable business management.