Ecological Behavior Research Articles

Genetic Diversity, Evolutionary Dynamics, and Ongoing Spread of Pedilanthus Leaf Curl Virus.

Pedilanthus leaf curl virus (PeLCV) is a monopartite begomovirus (family Geminiviridae) discovered just a few decades ago. Since then, it has become a widely encountered virus, with reports from ca. 25 plant species across Pakistan and India, indicative of its notable evolutionary success. Viruses mutate at such a swift rate that their ecological and evolutionary behaviors are inextricably linked, and all of these behaviors are imprinted on their genomes as genetic diversity. So, all these imprints can be mapped by computational methods. This study was designed to map the sequence variation dynamics, genetic heterogeneity, regional diversity, phylogeny, and recombination events imprinted on the PeLCV genome. Phylogenetic and network analysis grouped the full-length genome sequences of 52 PeLCV isolates into 7 major clades, displaying some regional delineation but lacking host-specific demarcation. The progenitor of PeLCV was found to have originated in Multan, Pakistan, in 1977, from where it spread concurrently to India and various regions of Pakistan. A high proportion of recombination events, distributed unevenly throughout the genome and involving both inter- and intraspecies recombinants, were inferred. The findings of this study highlight that the PeLCV population is expanding under a high degree of genetic diversity (π = 0.073%), a high rate of mean nucleotide substitution (1.54 × 10-3), demographic selection, and a high rate of recombination. This sets PeLCV apart as a distinctive begomovirus among other begomoviruses. These factors could further exacerbate the PeLCV divergence and adaptation to new hosts. The insights of this study that pinpoint the emergence of PeLCV are outlined.

Informational Interventions in Environmental Behavior of Rural Residents: Example of Waste Separation and Water Quality Enhancement

INTRODUCTION: The ongoing progress in China's rural revitalization and precision poverty alleviation has led to the gradual implementation of environmental improvement initiatives for rural residents. As a result, rural residents' environmental behavior is now being influenced by informatization interventions. With the deepening of these interventions, various environmental behaviors have emerged. Therefore, it is crucial to study the impact of informatization interventions on rural residents' ecological behavior, focusing specifically on garbage classification and water quality enhancement.
 OBJECTIVES: To improve the level of China's rural habitat improvement, to improve the mechanism of informatization intervention in the environmental behavior of rural residents; to solve the problem of garbage classification and water quality improvement in the environment of rural residents under the background of informatization intervention, and to improve the level of modernization of China's agriculture and rural areas.
 METHODS: First, using the theory of informatization intervention to establish a model of informatization intervention in the environmental behavior of rural residents; secondly, using the questionnaire method to investigate and analyze the ecological behavior of rural residents under the background of informatization intervention in the case townships; finally, using the model to analyze the results of the survey and establish the relevant principles of environmental improvement under the background of informatization intervention.
 RESULTS: Under the background of informatization intervention, there is a significant improvement in the environmental behavior of rural residents, and the efficiency of garbage classification is significantly improved compared with the traditional model; the application of informatization intervention has dramatically improved the efficiency of environmental remediation in the case townships, and the informatization intervention can also play a significant role in the improvement of water quality.
 CONCLUSION: In the continuous process of rural revitalization and precise poverty alleviation work, to strengthen the informatization intervention of rural residents' environment and comprehensively improve the quality level of rural habitat environment, it is crucial to carry out from various aspects and construct informatization.

Destination psychological ownership, environmental awareness and sustainable practices: A study among inbound UK and Chinese adults of Generation Zs

Sketching on psychological ownership-attitude-behavior theory, the present study examines the effect of destination psychological ownership on Generation Z’s tourist environmental attitude, which in turn influences their sustainable behavior. This study also investigates the conditional impact of environmental awareness on the ecological attitude-sustainable behavior relationship. Using a purposive sampling approach, the authors collected data from inbound Generation Z tourists in the UK and China through a survey. The findings concluded with a significant positive impact of destination psychological ownership on Generation Z’s environmental attitude. The current evidence also supports the positive effect of ecological attitude on Generation Z’s sustainable behavior. The present work offered robust evidence that environmental awareness moderates the environmental attitude-sustainable behavior relationship in Generation Z. Concerning UK and Chinese cultural differences, the findings concluded with variations among their Generation Z tourist destination psychological ownership, ecological attitude and sustainable practices. Implications and limitations have also been elaborated on at the end.

Empirical Study on Influencing Factors of Rural Environmental Behavior in Informatization

INTRODUCTION: With the advent of the information technology era, rural areas face new environmental protection challenges and opportunities. The rapid development of information technology provides new possibilities for changes in rural ecological behavior. However, understanding the influencing factors of rural environmental behavior in the context of information technology remains an important research topic. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to reveal the influencing factors of rural environmental behavior in the context of information technology to help governments and policymakers develop effective environmental protection strategies. Specifically, the researchers will focus on the extent to which factors such as education level, ecological awareness, economic status, and social participation influence the environmental behavior of rural residents. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was used in this study, and residents of a particular rural area were selected as the research subjects. A questionnaire containing questions on education level, environmental awareness, economic status, social participation, and environmental behavior was designed, and a large amount of data was collected through random sampling. Statistical analysis methods, such as regression and correlation analyses, were used to process and interpret the data. RESULTS: The study's results showed that the education level significantly affected the environmental behavior of rural residents. Residents with higher levels of education were more inclined to take positive ecological protection actions such as waste separation and energy conservation. In addition, environmental awareness was also found to be closely related to environmental behavior, with residents with higher ecological awareness being more concerned about environmental protection and taking action accordingly. Economic status and social participation affected rural residents' environmental behavior to a certain extent but to a lesser extent than education level and ecological awareness. CONCLUSION: Rural environmental behavior in the context of informatization is affected by a combination of factors. To promote rural ecological protection, the government should strengthen investment in education and improve rural residents' education level and environmental awareness. In addition, social organizations and public participation should also be supported to encourage rural residents to actively participate in environmental protection actions. These measures will help to promote a change in ecological behavior in rural areas and achieve the goal of sustainable development.

Knowledge of ecological concepts, environmental concern, and ecological behavior: A multiple correlation analysis

Environmental problems are a concern of society. Solving environmental problems requires knowledge of ecological concepts, environmental awareness, and students' ecological behavior. The research aims to determine the relationship between ecological concept knowledge and environmental concern with students' ecological behavior. The research method uses a descriptive method with a cross-sectional survey technique on 180 participants at SMA Negeri 1 Sungailiat, Bangka Regency. Statistical data analysis using regression analysis and multiple correlation. Based on the prerequisite test, it was obtained that the data were normally distributed, the data was homogeneous, there were no symptoms of multicollinearity, heteroscedasticity, or autocorrelation. The results showed a multiple correlation coefficient of r = 0.776 in the strong category. The conclusion of the study is that there is a positive relationship between knowledge of ecological concepts and environmental awareness together with ecological behavior. Achievement of high student ecological behavior requires knowledge of ecological concepts and concern for the good environment of students.

The Effects of Environmental Education on Residents' Ecological Security Behavior: The Mediating Role of Nature's Psychological Ownership Perspective and The Moderating Role of Visual Fluency.

Residents are one of the most significant stakeholder groups in ecologically vulnerable regions, and the local ecological environmental governance efforts require their active cooperation and participation. To this end, this study leverages the sampled survey data from residents across 14 cities in Guangxi, China, and uses a structural equation modeling analysis to explore the impact of environmental education perception on residents' ecological security behavior. The results indicate that psychological ownership of nature plays a positive mediating role between environmental education perception and residents' ecological security behavior, as well as between ecological consciousness and residents' ecological security behavior, thereby supporting the idea that a sense of stewardship in protecting ecological security is a key factor in residents' conversion of their ecological protection cognition into practical actions. Further research finds that visual fluency has a moderating effect on the relationship between environmental education perception and psychological ownership of nature. This study provides new insights into the theoretical understanding of the formation mechanism of residents' ecological security behavior, enriches the theory of psychological ownership, and offers policy recommendations for governments implementing ecological environmental propaganda programs.

The influence of internet use on residents’ ecological conservation behaviors: Evidence from Taibai Mountain Nature Reserve, China

The influence of internet use on residents’ ecological conservation behaviors: Evidence from Taibai Mountain Nature Reserve, China

Trophic Ecology during the Ontogenetic Development of the Pelagic Thresher Shark Alopias pelagicus in Baja California Sur, Mexico

The trophic ecology of the Pelagic Thresher shark (Alopias pelagicus) was evaluated based on chemical ecology using stable isotope ratios of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) in the vertebrae and muscles. Individuals were caught between August 2013 and October 2019 on both the coasts of Baja California Sur, Mexico. In Bahía Tortugas, the mean vertebrae (n = 35) values were 12.72 ± 1.06‰ (δ15N) and −14.79 ± 0.61‰ (δ13C), while in muscles (n = 32) these values were 16.63 ± 0.76‰ (δ15N) and −17.18 ± 0.39‰ (δ13C). In Santa Rosalía, the mean vertebrae (n = 125) isotopic values were 14.4 ± 1.59‰ (δ15N) and −14.18 ± 0.51‰ (δ13C), while in muscles (n = 43), these values were 18.08 ± 0.96‰ (δ15N) and −16.43 ± 0.34‰ (δ13C). These results show higher δ15N values in Santa Rosalía as an effect of baseline isotopic differences between the two regions, whereas the δ13C values were lower in Bahía Tortugas, suggesting offshore ecological behavior (p < 0.05). In Santa Rosalía, there were significant differences by sex for δ15N in muscle, whereas the δ13C showed ontogenetic shifts, indicating that neonates feed in coastal areas more commonly than juveniles or adults (p < 0.05). Neither sex nor ontogenetic differences were observed in Bahía Tortugas (p > 0.05), suggesting a high overlap between their isotopic niches. Therefore, Alopias pelagicus uses the same ecological niche throughout its life, and there is consistency between sexes. The mean trophic position for both tissues and regions was 4.5, which corresponds to a tertiary predator, without any differences between stages or sex. Due to their higher energetic needs, juveniles and females showed the greatest isotopic niche amplitude; thus, their ecological niche is the widest.

Environmental Literacy and Care Behavior Through Adiwiyata Program at Elementary School

The dissemination of educational behaviours that enhance students' environmental literacy should be prioritised in light of the escalating environmental degradation. This research aims to: (1) describe the implementation of Adiwiyata program activities; (2) describe the environmental literacy skills; (3) describe the environmental care attitude; and (4) identify the factors that support or impede the implementation of adiwiyata program at a private elementary school in Bogor Regency. The qualitative descriptive study was done at a provincial-level Adiwiyata school from September 2021 to January 2022, employing qualitative descriptive methodologies. Written tests containing questions and questionnaires, interviews with instructors and students, observations, and documentation were utilized to disseminate data collection techniques. The assessment of environmental literacy is based on three indicators: (1) ecological knowledge, (2) environmental affection, and (3) behaviors. According to the findings of this study, this elementary school employs eco-friendly practices in order to attain Adiwiyata. The results of this study indicate that each indicator received a score of 75, 39.15, and 19.6 for the favorable category. The attitude of concern for the environment received a score of 76.42 in the category of excellence. These results are influenced by (1) quality environmental education, (2) student participation in environmental activities, and (3) student environmental knowledge. There are obstacles to the implementation of Adiwiyata, such as a lack of interest from school residents, an uneven distribution of environmental care, and the expense of carrying out activities. This study's findings will serve as an evaluation tool for the school's efforts to maximize Adiwiyata activities.

Stand-up paddling: A case study on the effect and impact pathway of information and appeals to reduce ecological conflicts

Water bodies form important habitats for animals and plants. At the same time, they offer special recreational benefits, through nature experiences, their scenic quality or as a basis for sport activities. However, high visitor numbers and problematic behaviour can lead to disturbances in nature. To maintain the recreational benefits of such public spaces and to protect nature, campaigns are a useful means, in addition to spatial interventions and legal regulations. This study evaluates a campaign to reduce negative effects on nature due to the increasingly popular activity of stand-up paddling. A written pre-post survey of the treatment group at Lake Greifensee was completed by the stand-up paddlers on site on tablets or location-independently on their own device. The control survey took place at Lake Lauerzersee, but mainly via various disseminators and social media in German-speaking Switzerland, starting with the pre-survey and ending with the post-survey at Lake Greifensee. The total sample comprised 334 people. To evaluate the campaign, behavioural predictors - based on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) (Ajzen, 1991) - and self-reported behaviour of stand-up paddlers with and without exposure to the campaign were compared. Exposure to the campaign influenced the predictor “perceived control” the most; the two variables “knowledge” and “self-assessed skills” increased significantly with exposure to the campaign. The poster, which was present on site throughout the campaign, was the communication tool most perceived by stand-up paddlers. The variables that best predicted self-reported behaviour were behavioural knowledge, relevance, and self-assessed ability. The results indicate that TPB-predictors tend to be positively influenced by campaign exposure, and they point to a relationship between TPB-predictors and behaviour. However, not all components of the TPB-predictors are statistically significantly improved by campaign exposure, nor do they all significantly influence self-reported behaviour. Nonetheless, the results show that persuasive work improves self-reported ecological behaviour and largely confirm the impact path for persuasion as it has been theoretically proposed. Management implications•A combination of information and behavioural recommendations reduce conflicts between stand-up paddlers and nature. To improve all TPB-predictors, additional efforts such as persuasion on an emotion-related basis are recommended.•Due to the low level of organization of the activity and because information is rarely obtained in advance, paddlers are best informed on site or in the beginning of their activity career (e.g., when buying/renting equipment).

Faunistic Analysis of Calliphoridae and Mesembrinellidae (Diptera: Oestroidea) at Different Stages of Bovine Liver Decomposition in the State of Rio de Janeiro.

Performing quantitative sampling and determining faunistic analyses of dipterans is of fundamental importance in the analysis of ecological behavior, such as population dynamics and diversity, among other factors, for exotic and native species of necrophagous dipterans, so it is important to observe the type of bait used in traps to capture these dipteran species. This work aims to study structural parameters and faunistic indices of the diversity of Calliphoridae and Mesembrinellidae species as well as the abundance and diversity of species attracted to liver in two stages of decomposition: fresh liver and liver at 48 h of putrefaction. A total of 2826 dipterans were collected during the period from May 2021 to February 2022. We observed that liver in decomposition for 48 h was more attractive in the forest and rural environments, while fresh liver showed greater attractiveness in the urban environment; however, no statistical difference was evidenced between the attractiveness in the different environments. The Mesembrinellidae family and the species Lucilia eximia (Wiedemann, 1819) were collected mostly from deteriorated liver, while Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius, 1775) showed no preference for any liver decomposition stage. The Wilcoxon test indicated that there is a significant difference between the preferences for putrefied bait in Mesembrinellidae, while in Calliphoridae, there was no preference for type of bait. The faunistic analysis showed that richness in the forest area was always higher when compared to the urban and rural areas. Laneela nigripes (Guimarães, 1977) and Mesembrinella bellardiana (Aldrich, 1922) were abundant and exclusive in the preserved environment, showing themselves to be good environmental bioindicators.

Land-use pattern and landscape structure impact butterfly diversity and abundance in organic agroecosystems

ContextAgricultural intensification and land-use patterns impact biodiversity and reduce ecosystem functions. Organic farming is often seen as a more biodiversity friendly way of farming. However, not all organic farming is equally supportive for biodiversity, structural diversity of the farms has a great impact and the often high intertwinement of organic and conventional farmland causes spill-over problems.ObjectiveOn organic farmland in central Italy, we analysed butterfly diversity and community structures in different land-use categories across a heterogeneous landscape. We aim to analyse the impact of the different land-use structures such as hedges and forest edges on this farmland, as well as the influence of adjoining conventionally farmed areas.MethodsWe studied butterflies on organic farmland including olive and hazelnut plantations, as well as meadows and fallow land, surrounded by hedges and forests. Hereby we considered the effects of land-use on the studied site and the adjoining land, e.g., semi-natural habitats (as hedges or forest edges), organic or conventional farmland. We counted butterflies along line transects and recorded habitat parameters for each transect. All encountered butterflies were classified according their ecological demands, behaviour, and life-history.ResultsWe found highest mean butterfly species richness in fallow land and lowest in hazelnut plantations. Species community structures differed hardly between plantations and meadows, but considerably compared to fallow land. Butterfly abundances are reduced for olive plantations adjacent to agricultural fields treated with pesticides, compared to such surrounded by organic fields. Habitat para-meters such as the number of flowering plant species and shade impact butterfly diversity and abundance. Forest edges producing considerable shadow to the transects had a significantly negative effect on diversity and abundance, while the influence of hedges was positive.ConclusionsBased on our findings, we conclude that also organic farmland has different degrees of biodiversity depending on a variety of land-use pattern. In particular, habitat heterogeneity and a high diversity of flowers positively influence butterfly diversity. The intensive mixing of organic and conventional agriculture must be seen critical for conservation as negative effects might spill over to organic fields, but might be compensable by landscape structures like hedges.

Management of Ecological Innovations in Urban Hotels

Purpose: The purpose of paper is to determine the level of implementation of eco- innovations in urban hotels in the Bratislava region (Slovakia) reflecting the pandemic situation, as well as the level of motivation of hotels to invest in eco-innovations. The main objective is to identify the relationship between the motivation to implement the eco-innovations and their implementation in hotels. Method: We used the method of expert survey, questionnaire form. The relationships are tested through Spearman's correlation coefficient. Results and conclusion: Eco-innovations reduce the environmental burden on business by applying more efficient processes or by using alternative resources. The implementation of eco-innovations in hotels is often conditional on the use of progressive technological solutions. The results of this research confirm a moderately strong relationship between the motivation to introduce ecological innovations and their implementation. Research implications: For managerial practice in hotels, it is important to monitor and evaluate the requirements of clients and actors on the accommodation services market in the field of ecology. On the basis of this knowledge, hotels should introduce eco-innovations for sustainable growth and competitiveness. Originality/value: The results of the research are original in terms of the localization of expert research in the field of city hotels in Slovakia - the Bratislava region. The findings confirm the relationship between the motivation to innovate and the introduction of ecologically innovative solutions in the hotel industry. The study presents the main motivators of the ecological behaviour of hotels and the ecological innovations used in urban hotels in Slovakia.

The Role of Contextual Values in the Formation of Ecological Behaviours

It is commonly understood that over-arching transcendental values (TVs) play a major role in directly influencing individual and group behaviours, including those relating to the environment. This paper challenges this approach, by arguing that there is good evidence to indicate that personal contexts – rather than TVs – inform many decisions that individuals need to make. As such, the paper argues that individuals use their TVs as a guide to forming contextual values, in a way that TVs only influence daily behaviours indirectly. In order to review the potential utility of these arguments, we offer a secondary analysis of the International Social Survey Programme. The results indicate that contexts can influence behaviours independently of the set of (transcendental) values that people may hold.

Environmental Knowledge, Values, and Responsibilities Help to Enhance Organic Farming Intentions: A Case Study of Yunlin County, Taiwan

This study aimed to identify the key factors that may influence farmers’ support for organic farming, which is an eco-friendly approach that nourishes the productivity of agricultural and ecological systems. To explore farmers’ adoption of organic-agriculture-related behaviors and the factors that influence these behavioral intentions, this research developed a questionnaire based on Kaiser’s theory of ecological behavior. The participants were 152 farmers, who were recruited via stratified sampling from four major agricultural zones in the county. The results revealed that environmental knowledge, environmental value, and feelings of responsibility positively influenced farmers’ behavioral intentions toward organic agriculture. The positive influence of environmental knowledge on behavioral intentions was enhanced by farmers’ experience, age, and time spent in agriculture each week. However, the positive influences of environmental value and feelings of responsibility were not moderated by the three aforementioned variables. Appropriate promotional and educational measures should incorporate the real-life experiences of farmers to increase their environmental knowledge, environmental value, and feelings of responsibility toward organic agriculture, thereby effectively enhancing their willingness to adopt this type of agriculture.

Factors of effectiveness of green nudges for more eco-responsible behaviour – Systematic review and research directions

Considering the rise of green nudges, our objective is to determine the factors of their effectiveness through a systematic review, following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) method, which analyses 28 articles and 73 pro-environmental nudges. Following a redefinition of the concept and a categorisation based on the construal-level theory of psychological distance (opposing the lever of the ‘how’ to that of the ‘why’ of choice), the effectiveness of green nudges is analysed. A relationship of dependence appears between the (in)effectiveness of nudges and (1) the levers, mechanisms and techniques mobilised; (2) the visibility of the behaviour by others; (3) the field of application; and (4) the geographical area. These analyses and the limitations of the work reviewed provide a basis to propose avenues for research. New theoretical insights and recommendations are provided in favour of more effective nudges for the adoption of ecological and responsible behaviours.

Ecological consciousness and behavior of modern students: a sociological analysis

The current environmental situation requires serious attention and active participation of every person. A special role in this process is played by the student youth – an active and promising part of society, capable of making a significant contribution to the development of ecological culture and changing environmental behavior. The ecological consciousness and behavior of students are becoming the object of more and more in-depth study by specialists in various fields of knowledge, including sociologists. To assess the level of formation of ecological consciousness and behavior in 2023, a sociological study was conducted using two methods: a questionnaire, the object of which was the student youth of Yekaterinburg and an expert interview. The study revealed the attitude of young people to the environment, as this is an indicator of the formation of ecological consciousness. Next, the key environmental problems that, according to the youth, are most acute were considered, as well as real practices that students implement while taking care of the environment were considered. In addition, the research revealed the role of the university as an actor influencing the formation of environmental consciousness and behavior. As a result, it was concluded that modern youth in general show interest and awareness in relation to environmental problems, but in reality their environmental behavior is often uneven and limited.

EMBED: Essential MicroBiomE Dynamics, a dimensionality reduction approach for longitudinal microbiome studies

Dimensionality reduction offers unique insights into high-dimensional microbiome dynamics by leveraging collective abundance fluctuations of multiple bacteria driven by similar ecological perturbations. However, methods providing lower-dimensional representations of microbiome dynamics both at the community and individual taxa levels are not currently available. To that end, we present EMBED: Essential MicroBiomE Dynamics, a probabilistic nonlinear tensor factorization approach. Like normal mode analysis in structural biophysics, EMBED infers ecological normal modes (ECNs), which represent the unique orthogonal modes capturing the collective behavior of microbial communities. Using multiple real and synthetic datasets, we show that a very small number of ECNs can accurately approximate microbiome dynamics. Inferred ECNs reflect specific ecological behaviors, providing natural templates along which the dynamics of individual bacteria may be partitioned. Moreover, the multi-subject treatment in EMBED systematically identifies subject-specific and universal abundance dynamics that are not detected by traditional approaches. Collectively, these results highlight the utility of EMBED as a versatile dimensionality reduction tool for studies of microbiome dynamics.

Cities vs countryside: An example of a science-based peri-urban landscape features rehabilitation in Milan (Italy)

Urban-rural boundaries are often abrupt and unmitigated, a trait that significantly enhances their ecological vulnerability. Nonetheless, such fringe systems enclose a high potential in furnishing buffering and resilience functions and services towards the city. Our study intends to give a contribution on the understanding of the ecological behaviour of peri-urban landscape features (PLFs) systems, showing how floristic-vegetational and landscape ecology studies can inform their multi-functional phytocoenoses ecological reconfiguring. Analyses were led among a fringe context of Milan city. An agri-environmental extra-local scale analysis framed the forthcoming finer scale results. Landscape mosaic structural and functional main traits were interpreted, outlining a current impairment of the landscape system capacity to support ecological functions across the area. In parallel, floristic traits were studied through chorological, life forms and Ellenberg’s ecogram analysis (total flora and single sub-areas values). The main phytocoenoses types were qualitatively described and related to the dynamic patterns of reference vegetation series. Results highlighted a significant deterioration of floristic-vegetational traits, if compared to the local potential. Recurrent anthropic disturbances, open space conditions were identified as the major impact factor on phytoconoeses evolution towards higher diversity, complexity and stability traits. Spontaneous recolonization processes were acknowledged as currently unable to change these trends, while past reforestation interventions showed positive effects. These results informed the building of a functional-dynamic interpretative approach, focused on the ecological roles and physical habitat conditions currently influencing phytocoenoses dynamics, and on which to intervene. Accordingly, the current and potential ecological functions of 9 key PLFs categories were inspected. Consequently, design criterions for corrective interventions were outlined. This brought to the identification of the optimal structural and functional patterns of PLFs to be integrated throughout the urban-rural boundary, as well as their floristic-vegetational design specificities, by pursuing a rebalancing effect on the peri-urban agroecosystem inner complexity and environmental stability parameters.

Eco-Efficiency, Environmental and Sustainable Innovation in Recycling Energy and Their Effect on Business Performance: Evidence from European SMEs

This paper examines the influence of adopting resource efficiency actions, saving water, saving energy, using renewable energy, saving materials, minimizing waste, selling scrap, recycling, using durable products, promoting environmental responsibility, and offering green marketing products and services on the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). More specifically, we investigate specific resource efficiency actions and their impact on production costs, investment, the available support for product expansion, and the effect of encountered barriers on SME performance. We develop a theoretical framework based on stakeholder- and resource-based theories to serve as the foundation for this analysis. We use these theories to explain the link between eco-efficiency actions, firm performance, and ecological behavior, along with public policy and innovation. This study uses Flash Eurobarometer survey datasets FL342, FL381, FL426, and FL456, which cover SMEs across time and sectors in 28 EU countries. The data are analyzed through descriptive and ordered logit regression analysis, using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) to test the relationship between the above variables and the parameters. In terms of practical implications, these findings are crucial in helping SMEs pursue sustainable development. According to the findings, SMEs lack information on how implementing eco-efficiency action affects their financial health and sustainable innovation. This study can provide valuable insights into how implementing eco-efficiency practices can positively impact a company’s bottom line, good health, and employees’ well-being and how SMEs can use this information to make more informed decisions. Additionally, the findings can help inform policy makers about how to better support SMEs in pursuing sustainable development.