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Article
Publication date: 19 December 2023

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.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 35 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 December 2023

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.

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: 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. 35 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 July 2024

Jiaxin Huang, Wenbo Li, Xiu Cheng and Ke Cui

This study aims to identify the key factors that influence household pro-environmental behaviors (HPEBs) and explore the differences caused by the same influencing factors between…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to identify the key factors that influence household pro-environmental behaviors (HPEBs) and explore the differences caused by the same influencing factors between household waste management behavior (HWM) and household energy-saving behavior (HES).

Design/methodology/approach

A meta-analysis was conducted on 90 articles about HPEBs published between 2009 and 2023 to find the key factors. HPEBs were further categorized into HWM and HES to investigate the difference influenced by the above factors on two behaviors. The correlation coefficient was used as the unified effect size, and the random-effect model was adopted to conduct both main effect and moderating effect tests.

Findings

The results showed that attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control all positively influenced intention and HPEBs, but their effects were stronger on intention than on HPEBs. Intention was found to be the strongest predictor of HPEBs. Subjective norms were found to have a more positive effect on HES compared to HWM, while habits had a more positive effect on HWM. Furthermore, household size was negatively correlated with HWM but positively correlated with HES.

Originality/value

The same variables have different influences on HWM and HES. These results can help develop targeted incentives to increase the adoption of HPEBs, ultimately reducing household energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to the mitigation of global warming.

Details

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

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 June 2023

Sudip Gupta and Jayanta Kumar Seal

The purpose of this study is to find out the effect of consumption tax on savings behavior especially on the people who are close to their retirement.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to find out the effect of consumption tax on savings behavior especially on the people who are close to their retirement.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyze the response in spending and retirement saving using a difference-in-differences regression methodology. The authors use the year since the Public Provident Fund (PPF) enrollment date for each individual as a random assignment to identify the service tax policy's causal impact. Therefore, this variable is a continuous variable defined as an individual's age until the end of the restrictions when people can withdraw money from their retirement savings account PPF without any penalty. The treatment variable is the service tax shock (increase in service tax) that happened effective 1st April 2015.

Findings

The authors find a significant effect of a change in the service tax rate on individuals' spending and PPF saving behavior. On average, individuals lower their consumption by about 14% and increase their PPF savings by 16% in response to the increase in the service tax rate. The authors find substantial heterogeneity in effect across different types of individuals. The effect is more pronounced for people closer to their retirement and needy people (defined as individuals with low traditional savings account balances).

Research limitations/implications

The authors studied the effect of consumption tax on one category of savings (PPF) only. There are other savings instruments available in India. The data for those were not available to us.

Practical implications

This paper not only throws light on the consumption and savings behaviour of the individuals, but will also help the policy maker for framing appropriate fiscal policy.

Originality/value

Using a unique and proprietary data from a large bank in India, the authors analyze the effect of a tax policy change on households' consumption and retirement savings behavior. The authors find that households reduce their consumption by 14% and increase their voluntary retirement savings (Public Provident Fund aka PPF) by 16% in response to an increase in the service tax policy. Individuals close to their retirement age (55 years of age and above) and without any withdrawal restrictions from their PPF account tend to reduce their expenditures more and save more. Individuals with financial constraints and withdrawal restrictions do not reduce their expenditures significantly. To the best of the authors’ knowledge no study was done on this.

Details

Managerial Finance, vol. 49 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0307-4358

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 April 2023

Xu Li and Shumin Sui

The development of digital inclusive finance (DIF) has increased households' financial investments and consumption. However, few studies have considered whether DIF strengthens…

Abstract

Purpose

The development of digital inclusive finance (DIF) has increased households' financial investments and consumption. However, few studies have considered whether DIF strengthens the substitution of household financial investment for consumption behavior. To clarify the relationship between DIF, household financial investment and household consumption behavior, the authors combine matched data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) and Peking University Digital Inclusive Finance Index (2011–2018) to explore the impact of DIF on household financial substitution. This study aims to discuss the aforementioned objectives.

Design/methodology/approach

This study's empirical analysis applies ordinary least squares (OLS) to answer how DIF affects household financial investment substitution for consumption. This study uses three approaches to examine the robustness of the benchmark regression model. These three approaches are replacing the core explanatory variables, using the lagged Digital Inclusive Finance Index and using the data of additional years. This article also assesses endogeneity by applying the instrumental variable method.

Findings

The results indicate that DIF significantly enhances household financial substitution. This article also assesses endogeneity by applying the instrumental variable method and robustness test methods. The impact mechanism test shows that DIF positively affects household financial substitution, by improving information dissemination efficiency and enhancing financial participation. Further research finds that the impact of DIF on household financial substitution is more pronounced in households with low to moderate savings rates, low to average income households and homes without family members who start their businesses.

Research limitations/implications

This study analyzed the effect and mediating mechanisms of digital financial inclusion on household financial substitution. Like all studies, the research had some limitations. First, due to differences in culture and infrastructure development, people do not understand and judge economic behaviors, such as household financial investment and consumption, in the same way. It can lead to certain biases in their understanding and study responses. Second, the study is mainly based on data from China. Future studies should be extended to foreign countries for comparative analysis. Third, the development of DIF has not yet completed a full cycle, and many problems have not been fully identified.

Practical implications

This study provides some practical implication. First, the public sectors should effectively weigh the spending relationship between household financial investment and consumption. Second, the public sector should focus on the policy optimization and consistency of DIF. The public sector should both enhance the breadth of coverage and depth of impact of DIF and focus on long-tail groups to fully reflect the equity and inclusiveness of DIF.

Originality/value

This study responds to the discussion on the relationship between financial investment, saving and consumption games in household expenditures and enhances our understanding of how DIF affects households' complex economic behavior. The most revealing finding is that DIF reinforces the substitution of household financial investment for household consumption. DIF positively affects household financial substitution by improving the efficiency of information dissemination and increasing financial participation, which is a valid extension of the study on the mechanisms of information dissemination and financial participation in financial investment and consumption proposed.

Details

Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, vol. 35 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-5855

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 September 2024

Muhammad Muzummil Sibtain, Muhammad Hashim, Fausto Pedro García Márquez, Sajjad Ahmad Baig and Muhammad Nazam

The adoption of energy-efficient systems is crucial for Pakistan to meet its growing energy demand and address its energy challenges. However, adoption of these systems in…

Abstract

Purpose

The adoption of energy-efficient systems is crucial for Pakistan to meet its growing energy demand and address its energy challenges. However, adoption of these systems in Pakistan is hindered by several barriers, including economic constraints, lack of awareness and social attitudes toward sustainable development. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore adoption of energy-efficient household systems and the associated social influence.

Design/methodology/approach

The study incorporates social influence as a mediating factor to examine the relationships between awareness of consequences, perceived consumer effectiveness and attitudes toward the adoption of energy-efficient systems. A quantitative survey method was used to collect data from households from Faisalabad, Pakistan. A total of 203 valid questionnaires were received and data analyzed through SmartPLS 4 for structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results revealed that awareness of consequences positively impacts compliance, social identification and internalization, while perceived consumer effectiveness has a positive relationship with social identification and internalization. Moreover, the positive association of social identification and internalization with attitude were supported but relationship of compliance with attitude was unsupported.

Practical implications

The results may also be used to develop compelling marketing campaigns focusing environmental conservation and social influence for positive attitude development.

Originality/value

The study contributes to theoretical literature by examining the empirical relationships between specific individual characteristics and societal pressure that play a critical role in shaping attitudes toward the acceptance of energy-efficient systems. Additionally, the study's findings offer actionable implications for policymakers and marketers, contributing to the development of targeted interventions for promoting sustainable consumption.

Details

International Journal of Housing Markets and Analysis, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1753-8270

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 November 2023

Soumyadwip Das and Sumit Kumar Maji

The study aims to explore the savings behaviour of Indian farmers. An attempt is also made to inspect the effect of financial literacy (FL) and financial confidence (FC) on the…

Abstract

Purpose

The study aims to explore the savings behaviour of Indian farmers. An attempt is also made to inspect the effect of financial literacy (FL) and financial confidence (FC) on the savings behaviour of the farmers in India.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used secondary data on 10,263 Indian farmers from Financial Inclusion Insights, 2017 database. Relevant statistical techniques and ordered probit regression were used to unfold the effect of FL and FC on the savings behaviour of farmers.

Findings

The outcome of the study revealed that the majority of the Indian farmers exhibited poor levels of FL and FC. Of the total, 42.99% were found to save regularly. FL and FC were observed to play instrumental roles in steering the savings behaviour of the Indian farmers. Household size, financial shocks, gender, farm ownership, income, household financial decision-making process, religion and educational attainment have emerged to be significant predictors of the savings behaviour of Indian farmers.

Originality/value

The present study makes an original contribution to the extant literature by unfolding the savings behaviour of Indian farmers and the effect of FL and FC on such behaviour using a rich sample of 10,263 farmers for the first time.

Details

Agricultural Finance Review, vol. 83 no. 4/5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-1466

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 April 2022

Saeed Pahlevan Sharif, Navaz Naghavi, Hassam Waheed and Kizito Uyi Ehigiamusoe

This study aims to investigate whether gender predicts financial inclusion and whether education can fill the gender gap in financial inclusion when controlling for the effects of…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate whether gender predicts financial inclusion and whether education can fill the gender gap in financial inclusion when controlling for the effects of supply side factors of financial inclusion in low-income economies.

Design/methodology/approach

This study aims to investigate whether gender predicts financial inclusion and whether education can fill the gender gap in financial inclusion when controlling for the effects of supply side factors of financial inclusion in low-income economies.

Findings

The findings provided support for the gender gap in financial inclusion using the most basic measure of financial inclusion. However, using formal savings and access to credit, the gender gap hypothesis is not supported. Moreover, the results revealed that education reduces the gender gap in the basic form of financial inclusion. However, this study could not find any significant difference between men and women's financial inclusion in terms of saving at a bank or borrowing from a bank though men tend to save more than women informally.

Originality/value

The current study contributes to the literature by examining the role of education in the relationship between gender gap and financial inclusion when controlling for the effects of heterogeneous infrastructure and the supply side factors of financial inclusion among the selected countries.

Details

International Journal of Emerging Markets, vol. 18 no. 12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-8809

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 February 2023

Hardeep Singh Mundi

This study aims to understand the unique financial behavior of transgender individuals compared to cisgender individuals. Furthermore, this study aims to demonstrate that…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to understand the unique financial behavior of transgender individuals compared to cisgender individuals. Furthermore, this study aims to demonstrate that understanding the financial behavior of transgender people will help financial institutions, regulators and policymakers to include them in the formal financial sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The qualitative approach to research aims at understanding a given phenomenon among the participants. Semi-structured interviews are conducted with 28 transgender and cisgender individuals each. Thematic analysis is used to understand the participants’ financial behavior and propose future research directions and implications to regulators and practitioners.

Findings

The transgender participants (TP) earn no stable income compared to cisgender participants. Due to a lack of regular income, TP faces hardships covering their spending. No fixed spending or financial planning pattern is found among the TP, and they are found to be highly uncertain of their income and spending. The TP is found wholly excluded from the financial system, and not even a single participant with an active bank account or insurance is found. TP has not visited a bank in their lifetime, and financial literacy is found completely missing among them. No TP has ever taken a bank loan or credit from a financial institution. A zeal among TP to be financially included is found, and such participation will undoubtedly help them live a financially independent life. Cisgender people (CP) are found to be earning a stable income, have full-time jobs, save money, transact through a formal financial system and are financially more independent than TPs. Gender is shown to play a role in the financial behavior of the participants.

Research limitations/implications

This study gathers information from transgender and CP and does not focus on the financial services providers; the decision not to interview the providers of financial services is a potential limitation of the present study. Another limitation is the small number of respondents who participated in the semi-structured interviews. Due to these limitations, the generalizability of the findings of this study regarding financial behavior will be restricted and require further evidence from future research.

Practical implications

The present study has several practical implications. First, the requirement of understanding the financial behavior of transgender people from their perspective is missing in the literature, and studies focusing on their behavior are required to help them be financially independent. The present study has implications for regulators, policymakers and practitioners to help transgender people improve their financial conditions.

Originality/value

The existing literature does not include studies focusing on understanding the financial behavior of transgender people or drawing a comparison of the financial behavior of transgender or CP. The present study explores the financial behavior of transgender people and highlights the unique financial behavior of transgender individuals.

Details

Qualitative Research in Financial Markets, vol. 16 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-4179

Keywords

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