Predictors of Sustainable Energy Technology Adoption Behavior in South-Western Nigeria

Philips Olatunde Ogunode ,Adeola A Ayodele

doi:10.7176/jesd/11-8-07

Abstract

This study focuses on the predictors of sustainable energy technology (SET) adoption behavior in south-western Nigeria. Although the extant literature is gorged with plethora of studies on sustainable energy technology adoption, studies that were conducted in a typical emerging economy like Nigeria in general and south-west Nigeria in particular are grossly under-researched and under-reported. The main objective of this study is to empirically investigate the predicting factors that influence the adoption of sustainable energy technology in south-western Nigeria. Based on the foregoing, the study adopted quantitative design and quota sampling as the research design and sampling method respectively. Questionnaire was the research instrument. The validity and the reliability of the research instrument were tested using construct validity and composite validity respectively. Hypothesized relationships were tested using structural equation modeling. It was found that performance expectancy, perceived value and effort expectancy have significant effect on the intention to adopt sustainable energy technology, while social influence, facilitating condition and intrinsic motivation do not. Also, it was revealed that there is a positive and significant relationship between intention to adopt sustainable energy technology and the actual adoption of sustainable energy technology. It was concluded that the study provided empirical support that Unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) provides a robust and comprehensive theoretical framework to predict, explain and describe sustainable energy technology adoption behaviour in a typical developing country context like Nigeria. The marketers of SET products should use price as their unique selling proposition to attract customers. Also, the quality of the SET products should conform with the expected performance of the product. Also, the SET marketers should endeavour that expected efforts of the prospective SET products consumers are met adequately since social influence, facilitating conditions and intrinsic motivation did not have significant effect on adoption intentions for SET. Keywords: Sustainable energy technology, Adoption behavior, Intention to adopt, Unified theory of acceptance and use technology, Structural equation modeling, Nigeria. DOI: 10.7176/JESD/11-8-07 Publication date: April 30 th 2020

Highlights

The United Nations’ World Commission on Environment and Development at Brundtland, Norway in 1987 provided an influential report that recognized the interdependences between the natural environment, human social welfare and economic activity, and the urgency to establish and maintain a dynamic balance between these three elements (Belz & Peattie, 2014)
At Rio de Janeiro in 1992, it was established by the framework convention on climate change the need and urgency to protect, preserve and conserve our planet since we have no other planet where we can leave; there conventions served as an eye opener to the issue of sustainable living among the countries of the world (Hujits, Molin & Stegs, 2012)
The study concludes the emergence and existence of sustainable energy technology (SET) market segment within the energy market sector in Nigeria. This niche is growing as the sustainability orientations and awareness spread, increased energy consumption level and intense urbanisation become the order of the day (Ukenna & Ayodele, 2019)

Summary

Introduction

The United Nations’ World Commission on Environment and Development at Brundtland, Norway in 1987 provided an influential report that recognized the interdependences between the natural environment, human social welfare and economic activity, and the urgency to establish and maintain a dynamic balance between these three elements (Belz & Peattie, 2014). The rapid population growth, technological changes and unprecedented economic growth of the 20th century all combined to pose a number of challenges for the new century (21st) These factors are as a result of the consumption of natural resources through human activities to satisfy his wants and needs without any consideration for the social and natural environmental degradation such as ozone layer depletion, global warming, acid rain and sooth effect among others. Targeting sustainable energy source is the major escape route from further degrading our dear planet In this context, sustainable energy sources like solar, wind, and biomass which are abundant in Nigeria have great potential to contribute to the sustainable development goals achievement by providing a clean and green environment, large chunk of revenue generation and create numerous jobs (Rio & Burgillo, 2007).

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