Measuring green creativity for employees in green enterprises: Scale development and validation

Abstract

Although employee green creativity is recognized as the key to the innovation in green enterprises, few studies explores the measurement of green creativity for employees. To address the gap, the present study identifies the major dimensions of employee green creativity and develops a comprehensive, reliable, and valid measurement instrument. According to the 4P’s model of creativity, four core dimensions of employee green creativity are identified, namely, green creative motivation, thinking, behavior, and outcome. Strictly adhering to the process of scale development, employee green creativity scale (EGCS) is constructed and validated. We first develop the items of employee green creativity based on literature review and expertise from academics and practitioners. Next, we examine the validation of EGCS through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis using a sample from three large-scale green enterprises (N = 460). Further, we also check the nomological validity of EGCS by testing the effects of determinants (e.g., green transformational leadership, shared vision, and green self-efficacy) on employee green creativity using a new sample from another two green enterprises (N = 169). Results reveal that EGCS is a reliable and valid instrument for capturing employee green creativity in multiple contexts. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.