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1 – 10 of over 13000This research is apt to glean the underlying relationships between the perceived restorativeness (PR) and environmentally responsible behaviors (ERBs) transpiring in rice fields…
Abstract
This research is apt to glean the underlying relationships between the perceived restorativeness (PR) and environmentally responsible behaviors (ERBs) transpiring in rice fields. The study site, the Xinkaiyuan Laotian District Cultural Landscape in Eastern Taiwan, has gained its popularity due to its romantic, idyllic setting as a rice field close to Pacific Ocean. The study deploys a questionnaire survey which collects 301 valid questionnaires. For the data analysis, it uses structural equation modeling to test study hypotheses. The study reveals that the compatibility dimension of PR has a significant effect on the general behavior and specific behavior of ERB. However, the other restorativeness dimensions entailing being away, fascination, and coherence show no significant effect. Thus, the ERB is mainly influenced by the respondent's compatibility rather than fascination toward a nature environment. In the concluding section, this study furnishes theoretical and practical implications along with suggestions for future research.
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This study aims to contribute to a better understanding of environmentally friendly consumers. It examines differences in holiday transport mode choices by persons’ general level…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to contribute to a better understanding of environmentally friendly consumers. It examines differences in holiday transport mode choices by persons’ general level of environmental commitment across lifestyle domains. Adopting a marketing perspective, the study also explores transport mode perceptions and underlying product attribute preferences that may shape holiday transport mode choices.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopted Kaiser’s (1998) General Ecological Behaviour scale to measure commitment to environmentally friendly behaviour. ANOVAs were run to examine differences in actual holiday travel behaviour and transport mode perceptions by level of environmental commitment. Pattern models were calculated to estimate differences in the relative importance of selected transport mode attributes (price, travel time, punctuality, accessibility, flexibility, comfort and environmental impact).
Findings
The study findings suggest that differences exist in transport mode choices for train and car use, but not for plane use, namely, train users tend to be more environmentally committed and car users less so. Differences were also noted in transport mode perceptions, with more environmentally friendly consumers holding more favourable views of the train. Those who are more environmentally committed also placed greater importance on environmental impact and less importance on comfort and time in mode choice.
Originality/value
The study applied an environmental scale thus far not used within tourism research. It also adopted a marketing perspective focused on product attributes to support the development of strategies to encourage environmentally friendly holiday transport mode choice.
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Jane Lu Hsu and Chih-Hung Feng
The purpose of this paper is to examine factors influencing environmental behaviour of the general public and to develop educational implications that will enhance effectiveness…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine factors influencing environmental behaviour of the general public and to develop educational implications that will enhance effectiveness in information dissemination for environmental sustainability in Taiwan.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey using personal interviews was administered in Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung metropolitan areas following stratified sampling method based on age and gender distributions of the population between the ages of 18 and 59 in Taiwan. Total valid samples were 481. Probit model was applied to examine factors influencing environmental behaviour.
Findings
Based on findings in the study, environmental knowledge, pro-environmental attitude (emphasising balance of nature), altruism and habitual behaviour positively influence environmental behaviour. Humancentric (emphasising human domination) negatively influence environmental behaviour. The following educational implications are capable to enlarge a spectrum of environmental behaviour in Taiwan: including topics of waste avoidance and reduction in chemical usage for cleaning or for insecticides in lessons/curricula; and promote general public to live a life which causes fewer burdens on the environment.
Research limitations/implications
Environmental education plays fundamental role in educating the public with concurrent environmental knowledge, in an expectation that the general public would take the information into consideration and modify behaviour in an effort to sustain the environment. Research implications of this study are: environmental behaviour is multidimensional and can be examined using a comprehensive set of statements including domains of energy conservation, mobility and transportation, waste avoidance, consumerism and recycling; and habitual behaviour is an influencing factor to explain environmental behaviour and can be examined thoroughly in future studies.
Originality/value
The study provides insights into environmental education based on examining factors influencing environmental behaviour. It advances the field by exploring environmental behaviour in five domains and revealing habitual behaviour as an influential factor. This allows educators to comprehend gaps in environmental behaviour and the needs for environmental education in Taiwan.
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Mrudula Manoj, Anjitha Ram Das, Arun Chandran and Santanu Mandal
Recent studies have classified ecotourism behaviour into specific components like site-specific ecological, pro-environmental and environmental learning behaviour. However, the…
Abstract
Purpose
Recent studies have classified ecotourism behaviour into specific components like site-specific ecological, pro-environmental and environmental learning behaviour. However, the role of materialism in generating these types of behaviour is not clearly understood. Materialism might also affect tourists' environmental engagement. Hence, this study embarks on exploring these research gaps.
Design/methodology/approach
All the constructs were operationalized as first-order factors based on extant scales of measurement. After suitable pretesting, the study was able to collect 122 valid responses. The responses were analysed using partial least squares (PLS).
Findings
Results suggest that environmental engagement and environmental learning behaviour have prominent roles as enablers. Furthermore, the importance of materialism is not statistically significant and requires further investigation.
Research limitations/implications
While the study showed that environmental engagement is a crucial precursor for the development of different types of ecotourism behaviour, it also has limitations. First, the study tested the validity of the proposed associations based on the perceptual responses of 122 tourists who are interested in participating in ecotourism. However, this may lack generalizability. Future research can take a common set of tourists or a specific destination and execute a longitudinal analysis to better understand the way ecotourism behaviour has evolved over time at a destination. This would in turn help the local people and tour planners to develop tourism packages and events.
Practical implications
As tourists are interested in environmental learning, they are eventually expected to take care of the destination environment in terms of protecting it in every form. This may include reporting of any environment damaging activity, for example, activities that can enhance environmental pollution, etc.
Social implications
Materialism hinders the environmental conservation spree of tourists, when they indulge more in shopping and leisure trips. Hence, for destination planners it is very important to hold complementary events in addition to the main event to highlight the dire need of involving in ecotourism activities.
Originality/value
The study is of significant contribution for researchers and practitioners as it develops the antecedents and consequences of environmental learning behaviour. Furthermore, this study has implications for managers working for sustainability of tourism destinations.
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Hirak Dasgupta and Sanjay Krishnapratap Pawar
The purpose of this study is to test a model on pro-sustainability orientation (PSO) among the students and comparison of the levels of PSO among the first-year and the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to test a model on pro-sustainability orientation (PSO) among the students and comparison of the levels of PSO among the first-year and the second-year MBA/PGDM students studying in Indian higher education institutions.
Design/methodology/approach
The study comprised of quantitative analysis of PSO through a questionnaire that was distributed among MBA/PGDM students of four prominent higher education institutions in the state of Maharashtra. A total of 425 students responded to the survey. The items of this instrument included actions such as reuse, recycling, energy, conservation and so on. Likert scale was used to measure the dimensions and structural equation modelling was applied to test the PSO model.
Findings
The study revealed significant difference in the PSO among male and female students with respect to equity dimension and significant differences among the first- and second-year MBA students with respect to pro-environmental deliberations. A significant difference was found among the four institutions with respect to the pro-environmental deliberations, altruistic behaviour and affinity towards diversity. The study showed positive influence of PSO over SB. The study revealed that the students enrolled in MBA/PGDM showed positive attitude towards SD and the environment.
Practical implications
There has been a dearth of studies conducted on PSO of students enrolled in Indian higher education. This study is an attempt to show the impact of the Indian higher education on the pro-sustainable lifestyles among the students of MBA/PGDM that can provide valuable insights for the millennials of the emerging economies.
Originality/value
This study is an attempt to depict the role played by the Indian higher education institutions in the development of PSO among the students of MBA/PGDM. In order to promote sustainable development within one’s society, one needs to educate future leaders about the importance of sustainability.
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Pablo Contreras-Contreras, Pedro Cuesta-Valiño and Pablo Gutiérrez-Rodríguez
This study aims to analyze the relationship between expectations of change after a crisis, such as that generated by COVID-19, people's levels of happiness and the propensity for…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyze the relationship between expectations of change after a crisis, such as that generated by COVID-19, people's levels of happiness and the propensity for pro-sustainable behavior.
Design/methodology/approach
Surveys were conducted using 1,130 observations. The aim was to measure expectations of change during the pandemic. Furthermore, the relationship between these expectations, happiness levels, and attitudes towards sustainability was analyzed for various elements of daily life. Statistical techniques such as principal component analysis (PCA), cluster analysis, variance analysis and correlation analysis were utilized to explore the underlying patterns and relationships.
Findings
Optimistic expectations for post-pandemic change are associated with a greater likelihood of engaging in environmentally beneficial behaviors, leading to higher levels of life satisfaction. This correlation is particularly significant when individuals envision broader transformations in the collective behavior of humanity. These findings suggest a strong link between beliefs in positive societal transformations and both pro-environmental actions and personal well-being.
Research limitations/implications
The unique circumstances of the pandemic, characterized by heightened media consumption, likely influenced the expectations of individuals, particularly fostering pessimistic outlooks in critical situations. Clear and solid variables were utilized despite not employing validated scales to measure expectations. However, it has been proven that there is a clear link between change expectations, happiness, and the propensity for a more sustainable daily life.
Practical implications
This study identifies guidelines that strengthen brands' communication strategies based on individuals' sustainability profiles and visions of the future.
Social implications
There is a need to target skeptical, change-resistant segments of the population with a more convincing and solid discourse to promote sustainable consumption and behavior.
Originality/value
This is the first study to simultaneously address the relationship between individuals' expectations of change following traumatic events such as the pandemic, their engagement in sustainable behavior, and their increased levels of happiness.
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Narendra Singh and Karnika Gupta
To create a sustainable environment, the aim of this study is to explore and identify the components of environmental attitude that can drive the specific ecological behaviour of…
Abstract
Purpose
To create a sustainable environment, the aim of this study is to explore and identify the components of environmental attitude that can drive the specific ecological behaviour of Indian consumers. Further, it defines environmental attitude components as moderators and investigates them as predictor of ecological behaviour.
Design/methodology/approach
The constructs of environmental attitude (EA) and ecological behaviour (EB) are measured using standardized scales with modifications that represent demography of Indian consumers, then, introduced among 300 respondents. Factor analysis, correlations of the factors, and regression analysis are used to draw the results.
Findings
Constructs of EA and EB are found to be multidimensional and support the literature. Many of their components are found to be significantly correlated inferring that consumers behave ecologically in specific manners depending on the formed attitude. Also, findings suggest that EA components work as predictors of EB. Further, developing a positive environmental attitude is a step to achieve sustainable environment.
Research limitations/implications
An attempt is made to improve scales to best suit Indian conditions but development of a reliable and valid measure never ends. This may partly limit the generality of the results. To study fresh issues on Indian conditions, a new scale index can be tested. Researcher, producers, media, policy planners and executives will get a cue to generate relevant value of their work.
Originality/value
The paper is a maiden attempt on Indian consumers and has enough potential to change the behaviour for achieving sustainable living. It will strengthen the literature in extrapolating the consumer classes besides identifying two new components of EB: costly exercise and uncaring behaviour.
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Arham Adnan, Asad Ahmad and Mohammed Naved Khan
The purpose of this paper is to identify what lifestyles best explain and impact ecological behavior among young Indian consumers.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify what lifestyles best explain and impact ecological behavior among young Indian consumers.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper adapts the lifestyle scale developed by He et al. (2010) and the Actual Commitment scale to the Indian context to describe its impact on the young consumer’s ecological profile. The study is based on an extensive literature review. The data were obtained from a questionnaire handed out to a sample of 250 students. With the information obtained, and after the scale validation process, a structural equation analysis has been conducted.
Findings
Findings of the study highlight that environmental patterns and lifestyle factors are those that best characterize the ecological market segment. This group of young consumers is characterized by their self-identity and a feeling of uniqueness. They are people who always try to improve themselves and take actions which pose a new challenge for them. They are also characterized by having an ecological lifestyle, selecting and recycling products and taking part in events to protect the environment. This type of consumer is a present and future investment for firms that are committed to the environment.
Originality/value
The results of this study might interest consumer behavior researchers and those firms that care about the ecological consumers. Moreover, previous studies have not dealt with young consumers. Further research is needed including new psychographic variables.
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