Green Behavior in the Workplace: The Role of Authentic Leadership and Psychological Capital in Shaping Environmental Citizenship in the Sri Lankan Public Sector

This study investigates both the direct and mediated influences of authentic leadership on organizational citizenship behaviour toward the environment (OCBE), with psychological capital serving as an intervening mechanism. Using a quantitative approach, data were gathered from 396 frontline employees across six public sector institutions in Sri Lanka through a survey questionnaire. The findings reveal that psychological capital plays a partial mediating role in the association between authentic leadership and OCBE. This indicates that authentic leadership affects OCBE not only directly but also indirectly by fostering employees’ psychological capital. The observed relationships highlight the pivotal role of authentic leadership in enhancing positive psychological resources and promoting environmentally responsible discretionary behaviours among employees. The proposed research framework offers practical insights for senior management in Sri Lankan public sector organizations, particularly in the development of leadership initiatives aimed at cultivating authentic leaders who can encourage environmental sustainability through employees’ OCBE.