Organizational values and employee participation in food-waste-reduction initiatives

In this research we examined the effect of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on the food-waste-reduction behavior of employees in the Chinese food-service industry, incorporating intrinsic motivation and self-efficacy as mediators. We collected data from 366 employees across restaurants, catering companies, and hotel dining services in three major Chinese cities. Using SMART-PLS for data analysis, we discovered that CSR positively affected sustainable behaviors both directly and indirectly through the mediating psychological mechanisms of intrinsic motivation and self-efficacy. These findings indicate that CSR can lead to a sustainable culture in organizations and imply that strengthening employees’ self-efficacy and intrinsic motivation can significantly enhance this effect. Our study enriches theoretical understanding of the role of CSR in fostering sustainable practices and provides practical insights for firms aiming to improve their environmental performance.