한국 항공산업 종사자들의 ESG 경험과 인식이 EU 항공 ESG 정책 수용에 미치는 영향

The Impact of the ESG Experiences and Perceptions of Korean Aviation Employees on EU Aviation ESG Alignment

Purpose – This study examines how Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) experiences and perceptions among Korean aviation employees influence alignment with the European Union’s (EU) aviation ESG policies. Grounded in institutional theory and perceived organizational support (POS), the research explores how coercive institutional pressures are cognitively and behaviorally internalized into organizational learning and policy acceptance. Design/Methodology/Approach – A mixed-method design was employed. Through a three-round Delphi survey, ESG indicators suited to the aviation sector were identified to ensure content validity. Subsequently, data from 142 aviation employees across pilots, cabin crew, and ground staff positions were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Reliability, convergent and discriminant validity, and robustness were verified through alternative model and multi-group analyses. Findings – Results indicated that environmental experience had a significant direct effect on EU ESG policy alignment (β = 0.481, p < 0.001). ESG education frequency (β = 0.231, p < 0.001) and EU route experience (β = 0.153, p = 0.009) partially mediated this relationship, while social and governance factors showed limited influence. The model explained 69% of the variance, confirming the strong explanatory power and formative validity of the environmental construct. Research Implications – The findings emphasize that experiential learning and organizational support are critical pathways for ESG internalization. For practical implementation, aviation ESG training should be designed as job-linked, experience-based learning to enhance institutional legitimacy and sustainable behavioral alignment.