PROACTIVE PERSONALITY AND EMPLOYEES' GREEN BEHAVIOUR IN FEDERAL UNIVERSITY DUTSIN-MA, KATSINA STATE

Abstract

Environmental sustainability in organizations has gained increasing attention, with employees' green behaviour (EGB) emerging as a critical factor in achieving sustainability goals. This study examines the effect of proactive personality on EGB, focusing on three dimensions: initiative-taking (INT), change orientation (CO), and persistent in goal achievement (PGA). Conducted at Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA), Nigeria, the study is grounded in Trait Activation Theory (TAT) and Self-Determination Theory (SDT). A quantitative approach was adopted, utilizing survey data from 370 teaching and non- teaching staff selected through purposive sampling from a population of 3,413. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were employed to assess the strength of relationships between proactive personality traits and EGB. Findings reveal that initiative-taking (t = 9.532, p = 0.000), change orientation (t = 5.023, p = 0.001), and persistent in goal achievement (t = 2.231, p = 0.001) significantly and positively influence EGB. The model explains 67.1% of the variance in EGB (Adjusted R² = 0.671), demonstrating the substantial role of proactive personality traits in fostering eco-friendly behaviours such as waste reduction, energy conservation, and sustainability advocacy. Based on these findings, the study recommends organizational support, incentives, and sustainability training programs to reinforce pro-environmental behaviours. The study contributes to theory by extending proactive personality research to environmental behaviour and offers practical insights for policymakers and administrators to integrate green initiatives into institutional policies.