Fostering Environmentally Responsible Consumer Behavior: A Hierarchical Approach Toward Smartphone Recycling

Abstract

Previous studies have explored consumers’ environmentally responsible intentions regarding many industries and products; however, research on the sustainability of smartphones is limited. This article develops an integrated cross-level model to assess the factors that foster environmentally responsible consumer behavior, which is demonstrated by the willingness to recycle smartphones. Data from 358 consumers were collected and analyzed using hierarchical linear modeling and the decomposed theory of planned behavior, which take into account antecedent factors. The outcomes of this article may provide a better understanding of consumer attitudes on smartphone recycling, such that expedient engineering and public policies can be put in place to facilitate it.