Abstract
Green behaviour refers to those behaviours that are pro-environmental in nature. Green behaviour is essential in an organization to ensure that the organization is meeting its organizational sustainability. Employees at all levels must support and participate in green behaviour. One way of encouraging employees to participate in green behaviour is by inducing them through incentives. This chapter dwells on why it is important to introduce green incentives in the workplace to encourage green behaviour. A short survey was conducted among employees in the Indian subcontinent to understand whether incentives can act as a catalyst in motivating green behaviour in the organization. It explores the advantages and disadvantages of bringing green incentives in the organization and the guidelines a company must keep in mind while designing an attractive green incentive system to motivate employees to engage in green behaviour.
TopBackground
Sustainability has become a resounding requirement in today's global setting, putting businesses in a critical position as agents of revolutionary change. Sustainability is the need of the hour for all businesses. Stakeholders are emphasizing more on the importance of sustainability in the organization, hence organizations are pressurized to prioritize sustainability. The starting point of sustainability in any organization is employees' commitment to engaging in sustainable behaviour, also known as green behaviour.
If employees are committed to engaging in green behaviour, it will contribute towards the sustainability efforts of the organization. Hence organizations must ensure that employees are practising green behaviour in the workplace. Two types of motivators would motivate the employees to practise green behaviour. One is intrinsic motivation, which means employees are motivated to act because of their personal beliefs values or ethics. Another type of motivation is extrinsic motivation, which means that employees want to participate in an act desiring the appreciation and recognition he or she will get through that act from others.
One way to encourage employees through extrinsic motivation is by introducing incentives. Rewards or incentives can act as a catalyst to induce employees to behave in a desired way. Incentives can be monetary or non-monetary. Monetary incentives are those incentives which are financial and non-monetary incentives are those which is not financial but still offer some attractive benefits to an individual.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Non-Monetary Incentives: Non-monetary incentives are those types of incentives which are not financial in nature instead they include other benefits which are offered to encourage a desired action from an individual.
Green Incentives: Green incentives are rewards or incentives offered to an individual as an appreciation or recognition of their green behaviour.
Intrinsic Motivation: It is the motivation to perform certain actions because of an individual’s personal beliefs or values.
Green Behaviour: Green Behaviour is such behaviour exhibited by an individual which promotes environmental sustainability.
Environmental Sustainability: Environmental sustainability refers to the commitment to conserving natural resources and has a harmonious relationship with the environment for the well-being of current and future generations.
Monetary Incentives: Monetary incentives are those types of incentives which are financial in nature and are offered to encourage a desired action from an individual.
Extrinsic Motivation: It is the motivation to perform certain actions because of appreciation or recognition.