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1 – 10 of over 2000This 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.
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Based on stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) theory and a serial multiple mediation model, this study aims to examine the relationships between cultural values and energy-saving…
Abstract
Purpose
Based on stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) theory and a serial multiple mediation model, this study aims to examine the relationships between cultural values and energy-saving behaviors as well as the mediation mechanisms of attitudes towards energy-saving and energy-saving intentions underlying these links.
Design/methodology/approach
A sample of 1,514 urban residents collected in five big cities in Vietnam and Structural Equation Modeling were employed to test the hypothesized model.
Findings
The study yields that energy-saving behaviors can be directly influenced by long-term orientation, but not by collectivism, while both collectivism and long-term orientation work as stimulus which immediately inspire attitude towards energy-savings and energy-saving intentions. Interestingly, attitudes towards energy-saving and energy-saving intentions not only serve as the most crucial predictors of entrepreneurial behaviors but also cooperate a serial mediation role in the impacts of cultural values on energy-saving behaviors.
Research limitations/implications
The findings of this research can be valuable for policymakers to inspire urban residents’ energy conservation behavior for sustainable development goals.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the pro-environment literature by adopting the S-O-R theory to investigate the impacts of cultural values on the energy-saving attitude-intention-behavior relationships, explain the underlying mediation mechanism of energy-saving attitudes and intentions in transferring the influences of cultural values on energy-saving behaviors, and bridge the attitude-intention-behavior gap in the energy-saving research.
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Amar Hisham Jaaffar, Saraswathy Kasavan, Siti Indati Mustapa and Abul Quasem Al-Amin
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a dramatic impact on energy supply and demand. It is vital to understand households’ behaviour with regard to energy, particularly during the…
Abstract
Purpose
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a dramatic impact on energy supply and demand. It is vital to understand households’ behaviour with regard to energy, particularly during the pandemic, to deploy future sustainable energy systems. This study aims to investigate the nexus of Malaysian households’ energy consumption behaviour in relation to various electrical appliances, their energy-saving appliance purchasing behaviour and their current possession of energy-saving appliances during the pandemic, especially during the lockdown period, from the perspective of the energy cultures framework.
Design/methodology/approach
The partial least squares structural equation modelling technique was used to test hypothesised relationships based on the 1,485 pieces of household data collected using an online and physical survey during the lockdown period in Malaysia.
Findings
The energy-saving behaviour cultivated due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic led to residential customers’ intentions to purchase energy-saving appliances which subsequently led to their current possession of energy-saving appliances. Indeed, energy-saving behaviours in the kitchen, entertainment, office, home lighting and cooling appliances have more than 77.4% influence on their purchasing behaviour. The consumer’s purchase behaviour for energy-saving appliances has a significant, partially mediating influence on the energy-saving behaviour of various electrical appliances and the consumers’ current possession of energy-saving appliances.
Research limitations/implications
This study could be enhanced by improving the sample using a higher-income group and involving other parts of Malaysia such as the southern region. The findings do extend the energy cultures framework by demonstrating the mediating role of households’ energy-saving appliance purchasing behaviour on the relationship between their energy consumption behaviour in relation to various electrical appliances and their current possession of energy-saving appliances.
Practical implications
The results of this study will help develop future action plans for transitioning to energy-saving appliance practices.
Originality/value
This paper examines the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on future energy efficiency practices in developing countries from the perspective of the energy cultures framework.
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Michael Sony and Nandakumar Mekoth
There is an unresolved paradox concerning electricity energy-saving behaviour. On one hand, there are many studies on energy-saving behaviours and on the other hand, recent…
Abstract
Purpose
There is an unresolved paradox concerning electricity energy-saving behaviour. On one hand, there are many studies on energy-saving behaviours and on the other hand, recent research stresses that there exists large amount untapped potential in terms electricity energy-saving behaviours. Therefore, it becomes pertinent to revisit the construct of electricity energy-saving behaviours qualitatively to enlarge the spectrum of understanding. The purpose of this paper is to answer the research question why do not customers care about electricity energy-saving behaviours.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative study is undertaken in Western India using grounded theory methodology. The basic steps in the analysis of qualitative data consist of coding the data, combining the codes into broader categories and themes, and interpreting the results.
Findings
The study identifies seven categories of determinants of electricity energy-saving behaviours. Policy implications and limitations of the study are discussed along with areas of future research directions.
Originality/value
This is the first study to unearth the dimensions of electricity energy-saving behaviour.
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Amna Akhound, Aseem Majeed Rizvi, Waqar Ahmed and Muhammad Nadeem Khan
Energy-saving behavior of individuals is essential to minimize energy use and reduce the emission of toxic gases. This study's actual focus is to find out the determinants of the…
Abstract
Purpose
Energy-saving behavior of individuals is essential to minimize energy use and reduce the emission of toxic gases. This study's actual focus is to find out the determinants of the energy-saving behavior of individuals in the workplace.
Design/methodology/approach
As a theoretical research model, the extended theory of planned behavior (TPB) has been used to analyze the determinants of energy-saving intentions. A survey method is used to collect 289 valid data, and structural equation modeling (SEM) is used to analyze the data.
Findings
The final result shows that the variables attitude at home, subjective norm (SN) and descriptive norms positively impact intention to save energy at the workplace. In contrast, the construct attitude and perceived behavior control is insignificant in this research. On the other hand, the personal moral norm (PMN) is a powerful predictor of individual energy-saving intentions at the workplace.
Originality/value
This research provides insights that will help the organizations understand the behavior of individuals at the workplace for energy-saving intentions to formulate such policies that will enhance individuals' practice for energy savings.
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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).
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Manuel A. Zambrano-Monserrate and Maria Alejandra Ruano
The escalating levels of greenhouse gas emissions have become a growing global concern, with household energy consumption emerging as a significant contributor. To develop…
Abstract
Purpose
The escalating levels of greenhouse gas emissions have become a growing global concern, with household energy consumption emerging as a significant contributor. To develop effective public policies, it is crucial to understand the energy-saving behavior of households. This study delves into the determinants of energy-saving practices in a developing country.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors chose a multivariate probit model, as it allowed to look after possible correlations among seven energy-saving practices within households.
Findings
The findings underscore the significant influence of sociodemographic variables, such as gender, civil status, income and education, on energy-saving practices. Furthermore, the authors discovered that households where the head actively volunteers in social organizations are more likely to adopt energy-saving behaviors. Additionally, internet access positively contributes to pro-environmental behavior. This research reveals that certain energy-saving practices are interconnected, acting as complements or substitutes.
Research limitations/implications
Recommendations for public policy include prioritizing education in rural areas to boost energy-saving practices, improving internet access in nonurban regions and promoting citizen involvement in social organizations to enhance environmental awareness and encourage energy-saving behavior. The authors contribute to literature evidencing that certain energy-saving practices are not independent of each other, they are rather complementary and, in some cases, substitutes.
Practical implications
Recommendations for public policy include prioritizing education in rural areas to boost energy-saving practices, improving Internet access in nonurban regions and promoting citizen involvement in social organizations to enhance environmental awareness and encourage energy-saving behavior.
Originality/value
Previous studies have overlooked these interdependencies, highlighting the necessity of a system of equations to yield more efficient estimates by considering correlations between error terms.
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The purpose of this study is to explore the antecedents and their impacts on behaviors toward agro-tourism by proposing a theory of green consumption behavior.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore the antecedents and their impacts on behaviors toward agro-tourism by proposing a theory of green consumption behavior.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on a review of the literatures and collection of 471 usable responses, the study is conducted through partial least squares structural equation modeling method using SmartPLS 3.3.3.
Findings
Findings of the study have revealed that carbon mitigation attitude, energy saving norms, perceived hygiene value and agro-tourist spot visit intentions significantly influence agro-tourist spot visit behavior. Furthermore, the study has suggested that agro-tourist spot visit intentions partially mediate the strength of the relationship between carbon mitigation attitude, energy saving norms, perceived hygiene value and agro-tourist spot visit behavior.
Practical implications
The study findings may be useful to encouraging agro-tourism managers of understanding antecedents of customer’s behavior and formulating business strategies influencing behaviors toward agro-tourism, coping with competitive business environment and environmental sustainability.
Originality/value
The study has presented a unique case discovering what antecedents are influencing customers’ green consumption behavior (agro-tourist spot visit behaviors) and how that behavior contributes to sustainable communities and cities development. Furthermore, the study has provided important insights for industry professionals by integrating carbon mitigation attitude, energy saving norms, perceived hygiene value and agro-tourist spot visit intentions in examining agro-tourist spot visit behavior.
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Angel Ancha Lindelwa Bulunga and Gladman Thondhlana
In response to increasing energy demand and financial constraints to invest in green infrastructure, behaviour change energy-saving interventions are increasingly being considered…
Abstract
Purpose
In response to increasing energy demand and financial constraints to invest in green infrastructure, behaviour change energy-saving interventions are increasingly being considered as a tool for encouraging pro-environmental behaviour in campus residences. This paper aims to report on a pilot programme aimed at reducing energy consumption via behaviour change interventions, variably applied in residences at Rhodes University, South Africa.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected via structured questionnaires, energy consumption records and post-intervention programme focus group discussions.
Findings
Participant residences that received a mix of different interventions in the forms of pamphlets, face-to-face discussions, incentives and feedback recorded more energy reductions of up to 9 per cent than residences that received a single or no intervention. In post-experiment discussions, students cited personal, institutional and structural barriers to pro-environmental energy-use behaviour.
Practical implications
Overall, the results of this study suggest that information provision of energy-saving tips combined with regular feedback and incentives can result in energy-use reductions in university residences, which may yield environmental and economic benefits for universities, but addressing barriers to pro-environmental behaviour might maximise the results.
Originality/value
Given the lack of literature on energy conservation in the global South universities, this study provides the basis for discussing the potential for using behavioural interventions in universities for stirring pathways towards sustainability.
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Evangelos Manolas, Georgios Tsantopoulos and Kyriaki Dimoudi
The purpose of this paper is to outline the views of citizens on issues related to energy saving and the realization of bank products in buildings under renovation such as energy…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to outline the views of citizens on issues related to energy saving and the realization of bank products in buildings under renovation such as energy saving interventions in the building envelope, installment of maximum efficiency air-conditioning systems, etc.
Design/methodology/approach
The collection of data was done through a structured questionnaire. The data are important because they show the attitudes of citizens while they simultaneously assess the effectiveness of the program after the application for many years of the energy saving program by the state.
Findings
The results of the research show that with regard to responsible actions by citizens as far as impacts on climate change are concerned, cognitive factors are more important than behavioral factors. The most important reason with regard to citizens restricting the consumption of electrical energy is saving money. Finally, the vast majority of citizens declare that they know about the existence of “green” bank financial programs and claim that these contribute to environmental protection. Despite all this, a very small percentage of citizens have realized some sort of financial program in order to save energy claiming that the main reason for their choice was the country’s economic crisis.
Originality/value
This investigation of the views of citizens may constitute a tool both for designing of effective environmental policy but also for the assessment of energy saving programs such as the one discussed in this paper.
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