In today′s corporate landscape, the integration of natural elements into the workplace has gained considerable momentum, aligning with the global movement toward sustainability.Although previous research has extensively documented the cognitive and performance-related benefits of nature exposure at work—such as enhanced attention, creativity, and job performance—its social and interpersonal implications remain insufficiently explored.In particular, limited attention has been paid to how natural elements in the workplace may influence employees′ interpersonal behaviors, such as knowledge sharing, which is vital for organizational learning, innovation, and long-term sustainability.
Drawing on self-expansion theory, this study proposes a novel psychological mechanism through which nature exposure at work may facilitate knowledge sharing: the enhancement of self-other overlap.According to the theory, individuals are motivated to expand their sense of self by including others in the self-concept.It is posited that exposure to natural elements may serve as a positive affective cue that fosters a more inclusive mindset, thereby blurring the boundaries between self and others and increasing the likelihood of interpersonal cooperation.Furthermore, this study introduces the warmth trait as a moderator, proposing that individuals with higher levels of warmth are more sensitive to environmental cues and, therefore, more likely to respond to contact with nature through increased social engagement.
To test these hypotheses, two complementary studies were conducted.Study 1 employed a scenario-based experimental design with 177 participants, randomly assigned to either a high or low contact with nature condition.The manipulated scenarios described an office environment rich in natural elements versus one devoid of such features.Participants then reported their perceived self-other overlap and warmth trait.The results of Study 1 demonstrate the causal relationship between nature exposure at work and self-other overlap, as well as the moderating role of the warmth trait.To further validate the robustness and external generalizability of the findings, Study 2 employed a three-wave time-lagged survey design among 376 full-time employees from various industries in China.Data was collected at three time points spaced two weeks apart to mitigate common method bias and strengthen external validity.In Time 1, participants reported their level of nature exposure at work, warmth trait, and demographics.The Time 2 survey included measures of self-other overlap.The Time 3 survey included measures of knowledge sharing.The results of study 2 indicate that nature exposure at work positively influences knowledge sharing through the mediating role of self-other overlap.Furthermore, warmth trait significantly moderates both the direct relationship between contact with nature and self-other overlap, and the indirect pathway from contact with nature to knowledge sharing.
The findings of this study make several theoretical contributions.First, it extends the outcomes of nature exposure at work beyond individual cognition and performance to include interpersonal and prosocial outcomes.This shift opens new avenues for understanding how ecological design can influence social processes in organizational contexts.Second, it offers a novel application of self-expansion theory by demonstrating that self-other overlap can be influenced by physical and affective environmental cues such as nature exposure at work.Third, this study takes an innovative step by introducing physical environmental factors into the antecedents of knowledge sharing.Finally, it examines warmth trait as an individual difference that moderates the effects of contact with nature, offering a new perspective on how individual traits influence responses to natural elements in the workplace.
From a practical perspective, the results suggest that organizations aiming to foster knowledge sharing and collaboration should consider the strategic integration of natural elements into the work environment.This includes not only biophilic office design but also encouraging outdoor breaks, window views of greenery, and access to natural materials.By doing so, companies may foster an atmosphere of openness and cooperation that supports knowledge flow and innovation.Overall, this study underscores the social value of nature-based interventions at work and provides evidence-based guidance for designing workplaces that are both environmentally sustainable and socially cohesive.
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