Network Structures of Workplace Sustainability and Employee Outcomes: A Two-Wave Study
Date
Authors
Sheeran, Zane
Sutton, Anna
Cooper-Thomas, Helena
Supervisor
Item type
Journal Article
Degree name
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Emerald
Abstract
Purpose This study examines how employees’ perceptions of their organisation’s environmental sustainability relate to their well-being and performance. This study aims to clarify these relationships by investigating the role of individual differences within the interconnected networks linking sustainability, well-being, performance, person–organisation fit (P–O fit), self-determination and environmental attitudes and behaviours. Design/methodology/approach Australian employees completed a two-wave online survey (Time 1: n = 628; Time 2: n = 493). Network analysis was used to examine the associations between perceived organisational sustainability and a range of individual factors and outcomes, allowing for the assessment of stability in the network structure over time. Findings Across both timepoints, strong and stable positive associations were found between perceived sustainability, well-being, performance and P–O fit. Self-determination was also strongly linked to well-being and performance. P–O fit emerged as a central component within the network, emphasising its role in supporting positive employee outcomes in sustainable workplaces. No significant structural or global strength differences were observed over time, indicating that the network’s overall structure and density remained stable. Originality/value This study provides novel evidence using network analysis to map the relationships among sustainability perceptions, key individual variables and employee outcomes. This paper demonstrates that these relationships are robust over time and highlights P–O fit as a core mechanism underpinning how sustainability initiatives contribute to a healthy, productive and sustainable work environment.Description
Keywords
35 Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services, 3507 Strategy, Management and Organisational Behaviour, 1503 Business and Management, 3505 Human resources and industrial relations, Sustainability, Employee well-being, Job performance, Network analysis
Source
International Journal of Organizational Analysis, ISSN: 1934-8835 (Print); 1758-8561 (Online), Emerald, 34(12), 162-179. doi: 10.1108/ijoa-11-2025-6232
Rights statement
© 2026 Zane Sheeran, Anna Sutton and Helena Dorothy Cooper-Thomas.
Published by Emerald Publishing Limited. This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) licence. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this licence maybe seen at Link to the terms of the CC BY 4.0 licence https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/