The leverage of corporate environmental protection concepts on employee motivation

Abstract

Corporate environmental protection is nowadays no longer just a marketing tool or an annoying necessity for a good reputation, but for many companies an integrated element of the corporate culture and of doing business. In a case study of a company in Austria, this paper investigates a feasible additional advantage for corporate environmental protection in terms of a positive leverage on employee motivation. After giving an overview of the most important theoretical approaches and tools regarding corporate responsibility, incentives, and employee motivation, the influence of the environmental protection concept of Kommunalkredit Austria AG on the job motivation of its employees is analysed on the basis of a questionnaire covering all corporate responsibility related topics. The results show a spill-over effect of a company's increased social responsibility on the behaviour and performance of the employees. © 2013 WIT Press.