Impact of social/personal norms and willingness to sacrifice on young vacationers’ pro-environmental intentions for waste reduction and recycling

Abstract

Despite its importance, young vacationers’ waste reduction and recycling decision formation remains unknown. This research was designed to investigate the intricate associations among social norms (descriptive and injunctive), willingness to sacrifice, and personal norm by developing a theoretical framework for young vacationers’ waste reduction and recycling intentions. The impact of gender was also examined. A quantitative approach employing a structural equation modeling was utilized. Our results revealed that descriptive norm, injunctive norm, and willingness to sacrifice were significant activators of personal norm. In addition, the direct impact of descriptive and injunctive norms on pro-environmental intentions was found. Personal norm acted as a mediator. Moreover, the proposed theoretical framework was further broadened by the significant moderating effect of gender on the injunctive norm–intentions linkage. Overall, this research helps researchers and practitioners better understand young international vacationers’ waste reduction and recycling intentions while traveling.