The Influence of Taoism on Employee Low-Carbon Behavior in China: The Mediating Role of Perceived Value and Guanxi

PURPOSE: We established a dual-pathway model in which Taoism at work can shape employee low-carbon behavior via two mediating mechanisms: perceived value as a psychological mediator and guanxi as a social mediator. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data were collected from 788 Chinese enterprises employees. RESULTS: Our results confirm the direct positive effect of Taoism on employee low-carbon behavior and the partial mediating effects of perceived value and co-worker guanxi. However, supervisor-subordinate guanxi does not mediate the relationship between Taoism and employee low-carbon behavior. CONCLUSION: Despite the key role of employee low-carbon behavior, the individual-level antecedent to employees’ pro-environmental behavior remains underexplored. This study examines the influence of Taoism (an individual-level cultural value) on employee low-carbon behavior in the Chinese context. Theoretical and managerial implications were discussed.