International Journal of Human Capital in Urban Management
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The mediating role of Green Training & Development in the relationship between Emotion Appraisal and Regulation on Employee Eco-Friendly Citizenship Behavior

Document Type : ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE

Authors

H. Vasudevan 1
M.Y. Cheok 2
N.A.R. Md Saad 2
K. Gengatharan 3
R. Nagarathanam 4
R. Abdul Wahhab 1

1 Tun Razak Graduate School, Universiti Tun Abdul Razak, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

2 Bank Rakyat School of Business, Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship, Universiti Tun Abdul Razak, Malaysia

3 Institute Pendidikan Guru Malaysia, Kampus Sultan Abdul Halim, Kedah, Malaysia

4 Department of Accountancy and Business, Tunku Abdul Rahman University Management and Technology, Malaysia

https://doi.org/10.22034/IJHCUM.2026.03.02
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Green Training and Development is a crucial initiative for Higher Education Institutions to foster eco-friendly behavior by enhancing knowledge and emotional skills for sustained behavior. Society prioritizes economic development over environmental quality, neglecting environmental damage. Public awareness is limited, and educational employees are under-researched in environmental awareness. Sustainable consumption promotes responsible use of natural resources and essential services, ensuring the protection of people's well-being. The research highlights a significant under-researching of environmental awareness and behavior among educational employees, highlighting a lack of scholarly attention on the psychological and behavioral factors influencing these employees. A research gap exists on green training in reconciling environmental values with economic priorities or job security, highlighting the need for further understanding. The study examines the influence of green training and development on employees' eco-friendly citizenship behavior in higher education institutions, focusing on the mediating effect.
METHODS: The study uses a quantitative method, utilizing a consent survey method and a questionnaire as the research instrument. The number of respondents in this study was 399 employees. This study utilized convenience sampling to select respondents in Malaysia. This study utilized SPSS, the SOBEL test, and SMART PLS4.
FINDINGS: The study's objectives and hypotheses significantly influenced each variable. Seven hypotheses have been accepted (H1: t-value =9.093), (H2: t-value = 4.204), (H3: t-value = 6.273), (H4: t-value = 6.233), (H5: t-value = 5.191), (H6: t-value = 4.218) and (H7: t-value = 3.874).
CONCLUSION: Research suggests that implementing greening or environmental management systems in the workplace is crucial for sustainable higher education development, as it enhances employee emotions and eco-friendly behavior. The study provides practical advice for institutions aiming to create a sustainable workforce by focusing on the human aspect of environmental management.

Keywords

Green training and development
Emotions self appraisal
Emotions regulation
Employee eco-friendly citizenship behavior
Subjects

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International Journal of Human Capital in Urban Management
Volume 11, Issue 3
Summer 2026
Pages 449-466

  • Receive Date 11 August 2025
  • Revise Date 12 September 2025
  • Accept Date 29 November 2025

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