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Article
Publication date: 1 April 1980

Bronis J. Verhage

Says that the use of energy has always been a key to the supply of food, to physical comfort and to quality of life in general. Posits that the plethora of energy use and low cost…

Abstract

Says that the use of energy has always been a key to the supply of food, to physical comfort and to quality of life in general. Posits that the plethora of energy use and low cost since the 1950s had made radical improvements in lifestyle and social and economic structure to Western society. Suggests that some important questions for today's energy policy, these are as follows: what consumer will do in terms of energy conservation; which consumers are most likely to cut down on their energy use; and what influences could best effect a move towards more conservation. Attempts to clear up these questions for the benefit of part of the Dutch public. Data were gathered in April 1978, by use of mail questionnaires sent to consumers in four residential areas in Amsterdam, The Netherlands – these were selected to represent various types of living accommodation (apartments, attached single‐family units, etc.). Discusses the results in depth, offering explanations. Concludes that the essential question in energy policy today is: which consumers are making substantial efforts to conserve energy and what can be done to influence people to conserve?

Details

European Journal of Marketing, vol. 14 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0309-0566

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 4 October 2019

Omneya A. Marzouk

The study aims to investigate the differences among urban and rural consumers in terms of their energy and water sustainable consumption behaviour levels and drivers and also…

2919

Abstract

Purpose

The study aims to investigate the differences among urban and rural consumers in terms of their energy and water sustainable consumption behaviour levels and drivers and also empirically blueprint conceptual frameworks highlighting urban and rural consumer drivers to consume sustainably.

Design/methodology/approach

This research follows an exploratory design using a qualitative approach; 14 in-depth interviews followed by one focus group were conducted with urban consumers; on the other hand, 18 in-depth interviews followed by one focus group were conducted with rural consumers.

Findings

The findings show that no differences exist among urban and rural consumers in terms of both their sustainable consumption levels and their drivers to consume sustainably; such findings were encapsulated in the form of one conceptual framework pertinent to both urban and rural consumers; it has the following relevant factors: consumers’ attitudes toward conservation, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, self-preference, public media influence, perceived economic value and perceived moral obligation to be relevant antecedents of conservation behaviour, which – in turn – drives sustainable purchase behaviours with the moderating effect of socio-demographic variables.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to extant literature as it provides evidence for the drivers of sustainable consumption behaviours of urban versus rural consumers in emerging countries; it also tentatively answers the question of whether the socio-demographic variables infer a difference in consumers’ sustainable consumption; finally, it studies sustainable consumption from a novel perspective with a focus on the relationship between its two pillars.

Details

Journal of Humanities and Applied Social Sciences, vol. 1 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN:

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 August 2012

Benhai Guo, Rongrong Zhang and Chaoqing Yuan

This paper attempts to study the impact of changing incentive strategies on enterprises' energy saving effort level and to construct an effective principal‐agent mechanism to…

567

Abstract

Purpose

This paper attempts to study the impact of changing incentive strategies on enterprises' energy saving effort level and to construct an effective principal‐agent mechanism to achieve Pareto improvement of energy‐saving control.

Design/methodology/approach

Starting from the benefit relations between government and enterprises as well as their game strategies in energy conservation management, the impact of changing incentive strategies on enterprises' energy saving effort level and the asymmetric information situation of the players are studied taking into consideration the angle of strategies evolving in local government. Also, an effective principal‐agent mechanism to achieve Pareto improvement of energy‐saving control is constructed.

Findings

The results are convincing: interests of both the principal and agent had consistency under the principal‐agent mechanism, and the principal‐agent model was a mechanism with rich efficiency that could substantially arouse the enthusiasm of enterprises in energy saving. The comprehensive supervision of local governments over enterprises could effectually eliminate ill effects on energy‐saving management caused by information asymmetry under certain circumstances.

Practical implications

It is good for locating the balance of interest of game players by building a government energy saving mechanism based on principal‐agent theory. Through solving a game stable strategy, it is beneficial to seize a key point of regulation and control policies.

Originality/value

The paper succeeds in analyzing decision behaviours of government and enterprises through the basic idea of cooperative game theory so as to make actions of enterprises at all levels agree to government determined solving of energy issues.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 41 no. 7/8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 31 August 2012

Low Sheau Ting, Abdul Hakim Bin Mohammed and Weng Wai Choong

This study seeks to propose the implementation strategies for energy sustainability on a Malaysian university campus.

10724

Abstract

Purpose

This study seeks to propose the implementation strategies for energy sustainability on a Malaysian university campus.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes five proposed implementation strategies for Malaysian Universities to contribute to a sustainable energy future and to realise a sustainable university, namely: gaining top management commitment, raising energy awareness, providing energy education, developing energy conservation behaviour and developing a sustainable campus implementation blueprint.

Findings

Over the years, numerous global energy issues have been identified, which include fluctuation of world energy prices, uncertainty of future energy supplies and environmental degradation. All these problems are threatening global movement towards a sustainable energy future. Immediate action should be taken by everyone in order to secure a sustainable energy future for the next generation. Malaysian universities, which are composed of hundreds of building blocks equipped with massive facilities, present enormous opportunities to contribute to a sustainable energy future, through reduction of their overall energy consumption.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed implementation strategies are set in the Malaysian context. These strategies detail the crucial aspect towards an energy efficient campus especially in Malaysian universities. It is recommended in future studies to benchmark other countries in this research.

Originality/value –

The study provides an overview of the important strategies for energy sustainability on a Malaysian university campus.

Details

Business Strategy Series, vol. 13 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1751-5637

Keywords

Abstract

Details

Energy Economics
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83867-294-2

Article
Publication date: 12 May 2020

Mattias Legnér, Gustaf Leijonhufvud and Martin Tunefalk

Sweden, like other countries, has set ambitious national targets for both energy efficiency and conservation of heritage values in the built environment. However, how these…

Abstract

Purpose

Sweden, like other countries, has set ambitious national targets for both energy efficiency and conservation of heritage values in the built environment. However, how these policies are implemented on a local level and how they affect each other is not known. This study aims to argue that extensive energy-saving policies can have unintentional impacts not just on the built environment but also on conservation practice.

Design/methodology/approach

By using a longitudinal approach, the aim is to investigate the possibilities of conserving the built environment when policies for increased energy efficiency are implemented in existing urban areas. The methodology used is qualitative, applying a combination of study of public records, policy documents, interviews with public officials and ocular investigation of buildings in three areas located in two different municipalities.

Findings

The study suggests that extensive refurbishments not only have effects on the character of an area, but in extension, affect how urban planners and local authorities approach the development in the same area. Urban areas affected by extensive retrofits in the past seem to be managed in less detail, leaving existing policy measures on both energy and heritage untapped.

Research limitations/implications

This is a study concerning two Swedish municipalities. Furthermore, it is limited to one specific policy measure, energy-saving subsidies provided in the 1970s and 1980s. The generalisability of the findings may, therefore, be limited. Despite this, the findings provide an important indication of the relationship between energy-saving policies in the past and urban planning practice of existing urban areas today, as well as the importance of alignment between policy-making and implementation.

Practical implications

Policy instruments for the building stock and the practice of conservation planning have not worked well together. Due to local practice, energy subsidies provided in the 1970s and 1980s still today have a negative effect on both heritage conservation and energy efficiency in existing areas.

Social implications

There is a discrepancy between expectations and outcome of policy measures. National decision-makers overestimate the possibilities to control the development on a local level, for both energy efficiency and heritage values. By examining an innovative set of sources, acknowledging long-term effects and entanglements of policies and practice, this study contributes to a better understanding of the complexity of different values in the built environment.

Originality/value

By comparing the share of approved applications, as well as completed energy retrofits, this study demonstrates that the effects of the national energy subsidy policy differed significantly between urban areas. Areas with a high degree of approved subsidies also had a high degree of retrofits, suggesting that the policy had intended effects. In these areas, the number of retrofits were also significantly higher than the number of subsidies. This was not the case where energy subsidies were fewer, which indicates that energy retrofits are performative, meaning that they accelerate further retrofits in the same area.

Details

International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, vol. 38 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-4708

Keywords

Abstract

Details

Energy Security in Times of Economic Transition: Lessons from China
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83982-465-4

Article
Publication date: 1 March 2001

K.G.B. Bakewell

Compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals published by MCB University Press: Facilities Volumes 8‐18; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐18;…

18741

Abstract

Compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals published by MCB University Press: Facilities Volumes 8‐18; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐18; Property Management Volumes 8‐18; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐18.

Details

Structural Survey, vol. 19 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-080X

Article
Publication date: 1 March 2000

K.G.B. Bakewell

Compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals published by MCB University Press: Facilities Volumes 8‐17; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐17;…

23742

Abstract

Compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals published by MCB University Press: Facilities Volumes 8‐17; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐17; Property Management Volumes 8‐17; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐17.

Details

Property Management, vol. 18 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-7472

Article
Publication date: 1 September 2001

Index by subjects, compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals: Facilities Volumes 8‐18; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐18; Property Management…

14799

Abstract

Index by subjects, compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals: Facilities Volumes 8‐18; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐18; Property Management Volumes 8‐18; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐18.

Details

Facilities, vol. 19 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-2772

11 – 20 of over 16000