Search results

1 – 10 of over 3000
Article
Publication date: 14 December 2022

Visar Hoxha and Dhurata Hoxha

The purpose of this study is to analyze the determinants of intention for energy and water conservation behavior in Prishtina, Kosovo by using the theory of planned behavior (TPB…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the determinants of intention for energy and water conservation behavior in Prishtina, Kosovo by using the theory of planned behavior (TPB) conceptual framework and then examine the influence of intention and demographic factors on the conservation behavior itself. In addition, the present study examines the differences between urban and rural consumers in Prishtina in terms of their intention for energy and water conservation behaviors and their actual conservation behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a qualitative approach by conducting ten in-depth interviews followed by one focus group with urban consumers and ten in-depth interviews followed by one focus group with rural consumers in Prishtina to analyze the influence of determinants on the conservation intention. In addition, the present study uses the quantitative research method to empirically examine the influence of intention and demographic variables on the actual conservation behavior.

Findings

The findings show that there is a difference between the urban and rural sample populations in Prishtina in terms of determinants that influence their intention to conserve energy and water. While attitude is the strongest determinant among the urban population, the social norms seem to be the strongest antecedent of the behavioral intention among the rural population. In addition, the study finds that the intention, income, family size and place of residence as a whole influence the actual behavior; however, the manifestation of the influence of separate variables on the actual conservation varies between urban and rural population. While intention is very strong among urban respondents and the actual conservation behavior is less dependent on the income level and family size, in the case of rural respondents, intention alone is not sufficient to predict the actual behavior and varies also on the income level.

Originality/value

The study brings unique and new knowledge about the application of the TPB in the context of small and developing economies bridging the research gaps arising from few scholarly research studying the differences between urban and rural populations.

Details

International Journal of Energy Sector Management, vol. 17 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6220

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 6 February 2024

Vincent Dodoma Mwale, Long Seng To, Chrispin Gogoda, Tiyamike Ngonda and Richard Nkhoma

This study aims to investigate the intricate relationships between a community energy system, water resources and biodiversity conservation, with a specific focus on augmenting…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the intricate relationships between a community energy system, water resources and biodiversity conservation, with a specific focus on augmenting community energy resilience in Bondo. The primary objective is to gain an in-depth understanding of how community members perceive and experience the challenges related to balancing the often-conflicting demands of energy, water and biodiversity conservation within this context.

Design/methodology/approach

The research uses a qualitative approach to unravel the multifaceted dynamics of community energy systems, water resources and biodiversity conservation in Bondo. Data were collected through focus groups and direct observations, enabling a nuanced exploration of community perspectives and lived experiences. The subsequent analysis of this qualitative data follows established thematic analysis procedures.

Findings

The study's findings shed light on the formidable barriers that impede rural communities in Malawi from accessing electricity effectively. Even in communities fortunate enough to have electricity connections, the lack of knowledge regarding productive electricity use results in community energy systems operating at significantly reduced load factors. Furthermore, the intricate challenge of managing a biodiversity hotspot persists, exacerbated by the densely populated peripheral communities' continued reliance on forest, land and water resources. These activities, in turn, contribute to ecosystem degradation.

Originality/value

In a context where government-led management of forest reserves and game reserves has not yielded the expected results due to a multitude of factors, there arises a compelling need for innovative approaches. One such innovation involves fostering partnerships between the government and experienced trusts as lead organisations, providing a fresh perspective on addressing the complex interplay between community energy systems, water resources and biodiversity conservation. This novel approach opens doors to explore alternative pathways for achieving the delicate balance between human energy needs and the preservation of vital ecosystems.

Details

International Journal of Energy Sector Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6220

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 June 2022

Kuei-Chen Chiu

This paper aims to answer these questions: “Is the public adopting energy-saving and water-saving facilities because they want to save energy and water in their psychological…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to answer these questions: “Is the public adopting energy-saving and water-saving facilities because they want to save energy and water in their psychological perception?”, “Is it convenient to use energy-saving and water-saving facilities?”, “If the inductive design of energy-saving and water-saving facilities attracts the public’s interest, the public is it more willing to install energy-saving and water-saving facilities in a widespread manner?” and “Can inductive energy-saving and water-saving facilities be introduced into the smart manufacturing system of manufacturing industries that require a lot of water to effectively save water and save costs for the company?”.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper aims to investigate the attitudes of employees toward using energy-saving and water-saving facilities by constructing a questionnaire based on the ABC (Affect, Behavior, Cognition) model to survey the attitudes of employees from the Southern and Eastern of Taiwan and establishing a structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the relationship between affect, behavior and cognition while using energy-saving and water-saving facilities.

Findings

There are some findings in this paper that the affective design have a strongly significant positive impact for using energy-saving and water-saving facility in the proposed model. People are willing to use energy-saving and water-saving facilities but are more willing to adopt those energy-saving and water-saving products of smart designs, as those take into account the emotional factors. The critical factor for the public to adopt energy-saving and water-saving facilities is smart design, which incorporates emotional elements.

Research limitations/implications

There are still some limitations of this study that the ABC model can only be used as a psychological discussion, and the development and design of related facilities still needs to be jointly developed with professionals in related technical fields. The introduction of induction water supply facilities needs to be considered while the company introduces the design of the smart manufacturing system. Therefore, professionals related to induction water supply should participate in the planning at the initial stage of the company's concept of introducing the smart manufacturing system.

Practical implications

On the practical side, based on preliminary research conclusions, this study proposes to introduce inductive water supply into smart manufacturing systems for manufacturing companies that require a lot of water in their manufacturing processes. In practice, the company can actually save a lot of water, thereby saving costs and reducing waste water discharge.

Social implications

The results of this study show that the public has a cognition of energy-saving and water-saving. However, there is a Chinese proverb that “easy to know and hard to do”, when actually using facilities, convenience is an important consideration for public. Smart facilities of energy-saving and water-saving, in addition to the benefits of energy-saving and water-saving, it is easy to use, and interacts with users through inductive water supply, which can more emotionally attract people's willingness to use.

Originality/value

This study found that smart facilities, which can more emotionally attract people's willingness to use. On the academic side, this study proves that using the ABC theory to explore the public’s psychological affective, behavior and cognition response to the use of facilities is a very suitable method. On the practical side, based on preliminary research conclusions, this study proposes to introduce inductive water supply into smart manufacturing systems for manufacturing companies that require a lot of water in their manufacturing processes. In practice, the company can actually save a lot of water, thereby saving costs and reducing waste water discharge.

Article
Publication date: 25 January 2023

Cong Doanh Duong

This study aims to integrate the theory of planned behavior (TPB), norm activation model (NAM) and stimulus–organism–behavior–consequences theory (SOBC) with the moderators to…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to integrate the theory of planned behavior (TPB), norm activation model (NAM) and stimulus–organism–behavior–consequences theory (SOBC) with the moderators to investigate the main determinants of energy-saving behaviors as well as how group-level factors and media publicity significantly facilitate the energy-saving intention-behavior linkage among dormitory students in higher education institutions (HEIs).

Design/methodology/approach

A valid sample of 325 dormitory students resided in universities of Vietnam and a three-step analysis approach via SPSS 28.0 and AMOS 25.0 were used to test the hypothesized model.

Findings

This study yields that external stimuluses (subjective norms and perceived behavioral control) positively and strongly stimulate energy–energy attitude, while internal stimuluses (ascription of responsibility, awareness of consequences) arouse personal norms. Both internal and external stimuluses were found to have serially mediation effects on energy-saving behaviors via attitude toward energy saving, personal norms and energy-saving intention. Remarkably, group interaction and media publicity exert prominent positive moderation effects on the energy-saving intention–behavior relationship.

Practical implications

The findings of this research can be valuable for HEIs and policymakers to inspire university students’ energy conservation behavior for sustainable development goals.

Originality/value

This study contributed to the proenvironmental literature by adopting the SOBC paradigm that strengthens the integration of TPB and NAM models to explore the main determinants of dormitory students’ energy-saving behaviors, explain the underlying mediation mechanisms of organisms and behavioral responses and illustrate the moderation role of group-level factors and media publicity.

Article
Publication date: 9 April 2024

Arifa Tanveer, Shihong Zeng and Wei Tian

This study aims to examine whether and how corporate sustainability capability influences energy efficiency through competitive intensity and slack resource availability.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine whether and how corporate sustainability capability influences energy efficiency through competitive intensity and slack resource availability.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors applied a two-wave research design and administered a survey questionnaire to senior-level managers of 78 ISO-14001 and ISO-50001 certified manufacturing companies. The authors use a multi-method approach for data analysis. AMOS 23 software was applied for covariance-based structural equation modeling. In addition, SPSS 25 software was applied for hierarchical regression analysis to examine the causal relationships in the model.

Findings

The finding reveals that corporate sustainability capabilities, which include energy-saving opportunities, seizing energy-saving opportunities and resource reconfiguration, significantly improve firms’ energy efficiency. In addition, competitive intensity and slack resource availability positively moderated the relationship between corporate sustainability capability and energy efficiency.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to examine the link between corporate sustainability capability and energy efficiency in developing countries such as Pakistan. Although the influence of various corporate sustainability capabilities on sustainable performance has been widely examined in the literature, the role of corporate sustainability capability has been limitedly explored with energy efficiency. This study extends the literature by adding to the knowledge of corporate sustainability capability that enhances boundary conditions in developing countries.

Details

Studies in Economics and Finance, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1086-7376

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 July 2022

Surya Prakash, Vijay Prakash Sharma, Ranbir Singh, Lokesh Vijayvargy and Nilaish

This study aims to address the adoption issues of green and sustainable practices in the hotel industry. The study identifies critical performance indicators (CPIs) and utilizes…

1422

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to address the adoption issues of green and sustainable practices in the hotel industry. The study identifies critical performance indicators (CPIs) and utilizes Hotel Carbon Management Initiative (HCMI) framework to prioritize CPIs for achieving a robust adoption framework for green and sustainable practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The hotel industry is driven by changing ecological degradation, and it is necessary to achieve feasible development goals. This research article formulates the CPIs derived from HCMI and decision-making model is created using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP).

Findings

In this research, CPIs of HCMI are considered and aim to formulate five major CPIs of HCMI, namely air pollution, energy efficiency, water conservation, noise pollution and waste management. The study identifies the need for better control and sustainable growth in the Indian hotel industry with minimum carbon emissions coupled with the green approach adoption.

Research limitations/implications

The CPIs work on minimization of risks and maximizing optimality of return on investment. The development of the hotel industry will be improved and immensely welcomed by capping the carbon emission with the green initiatives. This research is limited as urban hotels are surveyed in this study.

Originality/value

This work makes a valid argument to establish HCMI as a model initiative for environment quality improvement and further extension of other activities in the hospitality sector and scale-up sustainable practices for future-ready circular economies.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 34 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 4 May 2023

Abdelmounaim Lahrech, Bassam Abu-Hijleh and Hazem Aldabbas

This study aims to examine the relationship between global renewable energy consumption and economic growth in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries from 2001 to 2019.

1237

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between global renewable energy consumption and economic growth in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries from 2001 to 2019.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper used a panel regression model to study the six GCC countries over the period from 2001 to 2019.

Findings

As expected, the findings indicated a significant and negative relationship between global renewable energy consumption and GCC economic growth. Additionally, there was a positive and significant relationship between GCC economic growth and the control variables, specifically labor, capital, CO2 emissions and non-renewable energy production.

Practical implications

The results are of great importance to policymakers in GCC oil-exporting countries, as expected growth in renewable energy consumption will lower their economic growth in the future. Hence, they should first diversify their economy and lower their dependence on oil. Second, these countries can invest in solar energy through international joint ventures, especially with North African countries in close proximity to Europe, to become leaders in solar energy production.

Originality/value

How global energy consumption is related to GCC countries’ economic growth remains unclear, not only in GCC countries but also in many oil-exporting countries around the world, so future studies are needed. Furthermore, GCC governments will be able to create appropriate policies for the green economy and achieve their objectives if they have a comprehensive understanding of how global growth in renewable energy demand affects GCC economies.

Details

Arab Gulf Journal of Scientific Research, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1985-9899

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 February 2023

Helen Dion and Martin Evans

The issue of energy efficiency is becoming increasingly prevalent globally due to factors such as the expansion of the population, economic growth and excessive consumption that…

1194

Abstract

Purpose

The issue of energy efficiency is becoming increasingly prevalent globally due to factors such as the expansion of the population, economic growth and excessive consumption that is not sustainable in the long run. Additionally, healthcare facilities and hospitals are facing challenges as their operational costs continue to rise. The research aim is to develop strategic frameworks for managing green hospitals, towards energy efficiency and corporate governance in hospitals and healthcare facilities.

Design/methodology/approach

This research employs a qualitative case study approach, with a sample of ten hospitals examined through interviews with senior management, executives and healthcare facilities managers. Relevant data was also collected from literature and analysed through critical appraisal and content analysis. The research methodology is based on the use of grounded theory research methodologies to build theories from case studies.

Findings

The research developed three integrated conceptual strategic frameworks for managing hospitals and healthcare facilities towards energy efficiency, green hospital initiatives and corporate governance. The research also outlined the concepts of green hospitals and energy efficiency management systems and best practices based on the conclusions drawn from the investigated case studies.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited to the initiatives and experiences of the healthcare facilities studied in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Originality/value

The research findings, conclusions, recommendations and proposed frameworks and concepts contribute significantly to the existing body of knowledge. This research also provides recommendations for hospital managers and policymakers on how to effectively implement and manage energy efficiency initiatives in healthcare facilities.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. 31 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 2022

Comfort Olubukola Iyiola and Modupe Cecilia Mewomo

Understanding electricity use behaviour is considered one of the strategies to achieve sustained electricity management in buildings. The lack of understanding of occupants’…

Abstract

Purpose

Understanding electricity use behaviour is considered one of the strategies to achieve sustained electricity management in buildings. The lack of understanding of occupants’ electricity use behaviour has been found to cause various environmental and ecological issues. This paper aims to investigate the factors influencing occupants’ inefficient use of electricity in buildings becomes a vital area of study to achieve maximum benefit in the area of electricity management.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a quantitative survey and questionnaire as instruments for gathering relevant information from end-users in the study area, and the data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Findings

The major factors influencing the electricity use behaviour of students in the study area were attributed to their level of awareness, personal beliefs and attitude towards electricity, managerial influences and economic factors.

Originality/value

The threats to the environment and ecology necessitate immediate attention to the elements that impact students’ electricity use habits. This research explains the key elements that might impact students’ electricity consumption habits in buildings. Understanding these key characteristics will provide policymakers with vital knowledge of its prevalence.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology , vol. 22 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 February 2024

Safaa Alwedyan

Given the rapid increase in energy consumption in the residential sector in Jordan recently, the question of how to promote energy-saving behavior in Jordanian households is an…

Abstract

Purpose

Given the rapid increase in energy consumption in the residential sector in Jordan recently, the question of how to promote energy-saving behavior in Jordanian households is an emerging topic that is receiving increasing attention from scholars and academics. Generally, there is an unresolved paradox in the literature concerning electricity-saving behaviors. On one hand, numerous studies highlight energy-saving behaviors. On the other hand, recent research indicates the presence of significant untapped potential in electricity-saving behaviors. Therefore, it is useful to revisit the construct of these behaviors qualitatively to expand understanding. The study aimed to provide a better understanding of electricity energy-saving behaviors in terms of its motivations, barriers and support mechanisms from household heads' or household members' perspectives

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative study in a sample of households in north Jordan was conducted in the Irbid province using grounded theory methodology. The analysis of qualitative data involved coding, followed by the integration of codes into more comprehensive categories and themes and interpreting the findings.

Findings

The results identify the motivations for households to save energy, the main barriers to indulging in electricity energy-saving behaviors, and the main support mechanisms and perceived support of electricity energy-saving behaviors

Practical implications

The findings bear significant implications for targeted interventions in the study area, improving motivations and addressing local barriers and can inform future policy issues by tailoring initiatives to the specific context.

Originality/value

This study is distinguished by being the first study that specializes in electricity energy-saving behavior of households in Jordan, using new methodology and techniques (qualitative survey).

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

1 – 10 of over 3000