Investigating the green Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) servicescape scale in Brazil

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to introduce a reliable and valid green Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) servicescape measure (i.e. one that utilises extraordinary leadership in energy and environmental design supporting green building design, construction, and operations) that examines the direct effects of the physical environment on consumers' evaluation of a service encounter. In addition, the mediating effects of service quality perception, customer satisfaction, and consumers' attitude toward a service provider are considered.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on a sample of 522 Brazilian respondents' evaluation of their experience with the green LEED servicescape. A comprehensive research model and its moderating effects are investigated using LISREL model. The LISREL model consists of two parts: the measurement model and the structural equation model. The measurement model specifies how latent variables or hypothetical constructs depend upon or are indicated by observed variables. It describes the measurement properties (reliabilities and validities) of the observed variables. The structural equation model specifies the causal relationships among the latent variables, describes the causal effects, and assigns the explained and unexplained variance. The LISREL method estimates the unknown coefficients of a set of linear structural equations. It is particularly designed to accommodate models that include latent variables, measurement errors, namely reciprocal causation, simultaneity, and interdependence in both dependent and independent variables.

Findings

Overall, the study provided significant support (p≤0.05) for seven of eight hypotheses with the eighth marginally supported by the data. Specifically, the results suggest that consumers' perceptions of the green servicescape have a direct effect on their service quality perceptions and on their overall satisfaction with the environment. Findings also suggest that a consumer's perception of service quality has a direct effect on their level of satisfaction with the service environment, and satisfaction along with service quality has a direct effect on a consumer's attitude‐towards‐a green service provider. The consumers' attitude‐towards‐a green service provider influences their purchase intentions.

Originality/value

A reliable and valid green LEED servicescape measurement scale is introduced to the literature.

Citation

Hightower, R. (2013), "Investigating the green Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) servicescape scale in Brazil", Construction Innovation, Vol. 13 No. 3, pp. 242-265. https://doi.org/10.1108/CI-Oct-2011-0045