Fostering a green workplace: how responsible leadership inspires voluntary green behavior through perceived insider status and green work climate

Purpose This study aims to investigate the impact of responsible leadership (RL) on voluntary workplace green behavior (VWGB) in Turkish small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), focusing on the mediating role of perceived insider status (PIS) and the moderating role of green work climate (GWC). Grounded in social exchange theory (SET) and supported by self-determination theory (SDT), this study explored how leadership behavior fosters sustainable workplace actions through both relational and motivational mechanisms. Design/methodology/approach The research model was empirically tested using survey data from 375 employees across Turkish SMEs. Structural equation modeling and bootstrapping procedures were employed to examine direct, indirect, and moderated relationships. Findings The results reveal that RL positively influences VWGB, both directly and through the mediating role of PIS. GWC significantly strengthened the relationship between RL and both PIS and VWGB. However, when GWC is high, the positive relationship between PIS and VWGB is reduced, suggesting that strong external expectations may crowd out intrinsic motivation in line with SDT. Originality/value This study advances the green workplace literature by integrating SET and SDT to explain how leadership, employee inclusion and the organizational climate interact to shape sustainability outcomes. The findings provide practical insights for SMEs seeking to cultivate inclusive and motivational environments that support voluntary green behavior.