Encouraging Pro-environmental Behaviour Research Articles

Promoting pro-environmental behaviour spillover through chatbots

Given proper facilitation, pro-environmental behaviour in tourist destinations may spill over to the daily lives of tourists. Recent advancements in conversational artificial intelligence (AI) may lead to the emergence of more effective technology that will encourage people to become more environmentally friendly. However, limited research has been devoted to understanding the complexity of using such technologies for pro-social nudging. This study applies rigorous scale development procedures to test how advanced conversational AI, like chatbots, can be effective in encouraging pro-environmental behaviour spillover. The conceptual model introduces seven factors that predict people’s intention to use the chatbot and three factors that predict their intention to embrace the target behaviour. Performance expectancy and timing were the most significant in predicting the intention of individuals to adopt the technology. Efficiency and government support were the chief drivers of the intention to adopt pro-environmental behaviour. The findings suggest that although introducing a technology-mediated nudging mechanism can trigger people’s intention to behave pro-environmentally, other factors must be fulfilled in order to ensure sustained behaviour change in society.

Firms for Sustainable Manufacturing: Understanding the Key Determinants of Pro-environmental Behaviour

This study examines the factors that influence pro-environmental behaviour intention (PEBI) in manufacturing small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The data were collected from 517 executives and chief technology officers of Korean SMEs and analysed using a comprehensive research model. The model includes variables such as awareness of consequences (ACs), ascription of responsibility (AR), personal norms (PNs), extrinsic motivation (EM), subjective norms (SNs) and realistic values (RVs). The results show significant relationships between these factors and PEBI. In particular, ACs and AR have positive effects on PNs, with AR having a stronger effect. PNs are the most important predictor of PEBI. EM has a positive impact on behaviour intention, while SNs do not have a significant impact. Interestingly, RVs have a negative impact. These findings have practical implications for encouraging pro-environmental behaviour in manufacturing SMEs. Policymakers and business planners should focus on increasing awareness of environmental consequences and individual responsibility to reinforce PNs. Moreover, offering extrinsic rewards and benefits can motivate pro-environmental behaviour in these firms. Understanding these factors can help design targeted strategies for promoting sustainability practices within manufacturing SMEs. By addressing these aspects, businesses can contribute to environmental innovation and sustainable development.

The role of general and specific pro-environmental education in household waste management in Malaysia: Evidence from quantile regression

This study uses integrated behavioral model as the guiding framework to examine the role of general and specific environmental education in promoting household pro-environmental behavior. The data collected from a convenience sample of 213 household representatives using self-administered questionnaires were analyzed using OLS and quantile regressions. The results show that specific knowledge, intention, and salience of behavior have positive effects on pro-environmental behavior, while environmental constraints have negative effects. The effects vary across different quantiles of pro-environmental behavior, which imply that different emphasis and strategies should be placed based on different levels of pro-environmental behavior to encourage such behavior. The result of the joint effect of general and specific environmental knowledge shows that specific knowledge is a significant factor of pro-environmental behavior, but not general environmental knowledge. Intention becomes more important in encouraging pro-environmental behavior as the gap between general and specific environmental knowledge widens. The overall result suggests that different strategies should be designed and implemented based on different levels of behavior in encouraging household pro-environmental behavior, especially for those with low-level of pro-environmental behavior but with high intention as they require improved specific environmental knowledge and skills, support and facilities, and recognition of their pro-environmental behavior.

Tour guides’ interpretation and tourists’ pro-environmental behavior: differences across cultural and natural world heritage sites

ABSTRACT Although tour guides’ role in encouraging pro-environmental behavior has been confirmed in the literature, little research has been undertaken to examine how world heritage site (WHS) type may influence the relationship between tour guides’ performance and tourists’ pro-environmental behavior. The difference between cultural world heritage and natural world heritage in terms of tourists’ behavior is under-explored. This research aims to assess the moderating effect of world heritage type (cultural and natural) on the relationship between tour guides’ performance and tourists’ pro-environmental behavior. A self-administrated survey was used for collecting data from two of the most famous natural and cultural WHSs: Petra Archeological Park in Jordan and Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. PLS-SEM was employed to conduct multi-group and path analysis. The results showed that world heritage type partially moderates the relationship between the performance of tour guides, tourists’ experience, satisfaction, and pro-environmental behavior. Managerial and theoretical implications and research directions are discussed.

Encouraging pro-environmental behavior: Do testimonials by experts work?

Using non-pecuniary interventions to motivate pro-environmental behavior appeals to program administrators seeking cost-effective ways to increase adoption of environmental practices. However, all good-intended interventions should not be expected to be effective and reporting when interventions fail is as important as documenting their successes. We used a framed field experiment with 308 adults from the Mid-Atlantic in the United States to test the effectiveness of an expert testimonial in encouraging adoption of native plants in residential settings. Though studies have found testimonials to be effective in other contexts, we find that the video testimonial had no effect on residents' willingness to pay for native plants. Our analysis also shows that consumers who are younger, have higher incomes, and use other environmentally friendly practices on their lawns are more likely than other consumers to purchase native plants.

Green HRM practices for encouraging pro-environmental behavior among employees: the mediating influence of job satisfaction.

This study aims to investigate the relationship between green human resource management (HRM) practices and pro-environmental behavior among employees with mediating role of job satisfaction in this relationship. A questionnaire was used to collect data from the employees working in the pharmaceutical industry of Pakistan. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to examine study hypotheses. The study's findings indicate that green HRM practices favorably effect employees' job satisfaction, with the exception of green recruiting and selection, which leads to a greater degree of pro-environmental activity among employees. Additionally, it was discovered that job satisfaction, with the exception of green recruitment and selection, partially mediates the association between green HRM practices and pro-environmental behavior. The study also advances the field of analyzing firms' green activities from a psychological and sociological perspective, testing employee job satisfaction as a psychological condition that supports the link between green HRM and pro-environmental behavior. The study highlights the importance of green HRM practices in promoting pro-environmental behavior among employees. By aligning HRM procedures with environmental objectives, implementing environmental training, and involving employees in sustainability initiatives, organizations can build a culture of environmental responsibility and encourage sustainable behavior.

Encouraging Pro-environmental Behaviour Through an Educational Mobile Application: Preliminary Insights from Early Adopters

This article aims to explore the extent to which the educational mobile application PULA supports and promotes pro-environmental behaviours, identify the most utilised functionalities by early adopters, and explore the least engaged functionalities. The study employs a quantitative approach based on data collected from the application. The analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of users' experiences and behaviours within the application, contributing valuable insights into its potential to foster pro-environmental attitudes and behaviours. The results suggested that the users, especially women, were generally interested in the learning activities. Pro-environmental transport-related activities were also frequently undertaken by the users. While women tended to split their time into various functionalities of the application, men focused mainly on the transport-related ones. This research contributes to the emerging field of using educational mobile applications for promoting pro-environmental behaviour. The study's focus on early adopters provides unique perspectives on the mechanisms behind behaviour change and offers implications for future interventions. The findings of this study can impact environmental conservation efforts. By encouraging pro-environmental behaviour through an accessible mobile application, a broader audience can be reached and motivated to adopt greener habits. The insights gained from this research can inform the design and development of future applications to foster sustainable practices, benefiting society and contributing to building a more sustainable future.

Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) and Environmental Performance in Pakistani Hotel Industry: The Role of Green Perceived Organizational Support (POS), Pro-Environmental Behavior and Green Innovative Work Behavior (GIWB)

The aim of this research is to examine the effect of GHRM practices on hotel environmental performance in Pakistan. The study further analyze the effects of green POS, pro-environmental behavior, or green innovative work behavior (GIWB). The target area was belong of five-star hotel workers in Pakistan. PLS-SEM was used to analyse data gathered by a survey questionnaire from 225 workers. According to the findings green POS, which leads to pro-environmental behavior and GIWB, was establish to be a powerful predictor of GHRM practices (green recruitment or hiring, green training, green rewarding, or green performance assessment). The results also revealed that pro-environmental behavior or GIWB had a momentous effect on hotel environmental performance. Moreover, Green HRM practices are considered to indirectly contribute to environmental performance via green POS, pro-environmental behavior, and GIWB. This research is one of the unique efforts in the area of environmental management to incorporate GHRM practices with green POS, pro-environmental behaviors, and GIWB. It makes a clear contribution towards a new streamline of research to realize the critical function of GHRM exercise to modify the environmental performance in hotels. The research aggregation have suggested GHRM is an important indication for supporting green POS and encouraging pro-environmental behaviors, as well as GIWB. It can support hotel managers to promote the green POS among the employees by practicing the GHRM practices that enables pro-environmental behavior and GIWB to solve the hotel industry's increasing environmental problems. Recent research suggests that managers should maintain and follow GHRM efforts and policies to improve environmental performance.

Direct and mediated impacts of social norms on pro-environmental behavior

The social norm-based intervention is a frequently used tool for encouraging pro-environmental behavior. In designing effective interventions, however, both practitioners and researchers need more knowledge about the relationships between different norm constructs and pro-environmental behavior. In this study, we meta-analyze the predictive strength of injunctive, descriptive, and personal norms using meta-analytical structural equation modeling (MASEM). Data are extracted from 572 studies reported in 534 articles across 56 countries with a total sample size of N = 312,127. We find that internalized (i.e., personal) norms are consistently the strongest predictor of pro-environmental behavior and that personal norms mediate most of the impacts of injunctive and descriptive norms. Both injunctive and descriptive norms predict pro-environmental behavior, uniquely and with similar strengths. We find no significant moderations of collectivism or behavioral cost on the predictive strength of social norms on pro-environmental behavior.

Effects of dolphin-swim activities on the behaviour of an Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin population off the south coast of Mozambique

Swim-with-dolphin (SWD) activities are popular but can negatively impact target populations. It is important to consider the behavioural responses of dolphins, and quantify the impact on individuals and populations, as well as maximise opportunities for sustainable tourism that benefits socio-economic growth while encouraging pro-environmental behaviour. This is of relevance in `developing countries, where ecological studies are scarce and tourism industries may have developed before science-based management measures were implemented.This study aimed to determine the effects of SWD tourism on the behaviour of resident Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in the Ponta do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve (PPMR), Mozambique. Markov-chain models were used to describe dolphin behaviour transition probabilities in different tourism contexts between 2007 and 2009 (low tourism) and 2017–2019 (high tourism). Results detected significant short-term changes in the behaviours of dolphins. In the early years (2007–2009), dolphins were likely to remain in their preceding behaviour if they were resting, travelling, and foraging. However, for later years (2017–2019) this only occurred if they were travelling. Overall, after tourist swims, and under both tourism contexts, dolphins were more likely to travel and less likely to socialise, rest, or forage. The findings raise concerns that, despite current management measures, SWD activities still affect dolphin behaviour and impose short-term negative effects to their activity budget. Our study recommends time- and area-closures, speed restrictions, and mandatory training programmes to all SWD staff. Given that SWD and whale-watching activities take place along the coast of Mozambique, national regulations are urgently needed to minimise potential long-term negative effects on cetacean populations.

Engaging faith-based communities in pro-environmental behavior using soft regulations: The case of single-use plastics

The consumption of single-use plastics, such as disposable tableware (DTW), conveys a high benefit-cost ratio for consumers while having large environmental externalities. To encourage consumers to reduce their use of DTWs, governments could use small and non-coercive changes in people’s decision-making environments (nudges). This study focuses on the Israeli ultra-Orthodox communities a secluded population group that grows much faster- and consumes much more DTW than the rest of the Israeli population. Employing a quasi-representative sample (N = 450) of this population, this study conducted a discrete-choice experiment that presents the respondent with alternative options to reduce DTW. Two kinds of Nudges–framing and social norms–were utilized. The effectiveness of these Nudges in promoting PEB among faith-based communities has received little attention in previous studies. As another contribution to the literature, this paper also integrates latent constructs such as the respondents’ environmental attitudes and level of conservativeness. 46% of the respondents chose to opt-out whereas 29%, 14%, and 11% chose ‘1-day’, ‘2-days’, and ‘3-days’ per week avoiding DTW, respectively. Social norms, framings, and environmental attitudes had a significant mediating effect, with framing being associated with the highest effect on intentions to reduce DTW, i.e., a willingness to give up 0.31 USD per family member per month, compared to 0.07 USD for an increase in the description of the social norm. The results suggest that Nudges can enhance policies aimed at encouraging pro-environmental behavior among faith-based communities.

Bottle with a message: The role of story writing as an engagement tool to explore children's perceptions of marine plastic litter

As human behaviors play a crucial role in addressing the global threat of plastic pollution, it is vital to understand perceptions about marine plastic litter (MPL) and to develop interventions encouraging pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs). This study evaluates story writing as a window to explore perceptions and as an engagement activity to boost PEBs. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, schoolchildren from the East Pacific coast participated in this activity, each creating a story and answering a pre-post survey. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of 81 stories and 79 surveys show awareness of sources and impacts. Participants identified land and local pollution as significant contributors to MPL and emphasized bio-ecological impacts, reflecting concern for landscape and wildlife. While the stories presented a diversity of solutions, recycling dominated the surveys. As participants reported an increase in self-assessed knowledge and improved PEBs after this activity, it can be seen as an engagement tool to encourage behavior change.

To select effective interventions for pro-environmental behaviour change, we need to consider determinants of behaviour.

Encouraging pro-environmental behaviour is necessary to reduce CO2 emissions and limit global climate change. Many reviews and meta-analyses have been published examining the effectiveness of interventions to promote pro-environmental behaviour. Yet, it remains unclear which interventions are most effective, when and why. Because interventions are more likely to encourage pro-environmental behaviour when they target key determinants of the relevant behaviour, it is critical to understand which interventions target which determinants. We introduce a classification system that links six types of interventions to 13 determinants of environmental behaviour. Our classification enables a theory-based understanding of when and why interventions are effective (or not) in encouraging pro-environmental behaviour and provides guidelines to practitioners to select interventions that are most likely to change the key determinants of a specific target behaviour, and thus likely to be the most successful in changing behaviour in the given context.

In Search of the Innovative Digital Solutions Enhancing Social Pro-Environmental Engagement

Aim: In this paper, we analyze the potential of various digital tools such as gamification-based applications or digital currencies in enabling the social engagement in climate change mitigation processes by encouraging pro-environmental behaviors. Therefore, as a result of this study, we aim to develop a conceptual framework for a green digital tool, dedicated to cities seeking to shape their resilience by supporting bottom-up initiatives and encouraging residents to join the effort through educational interventions. Methods: The study was divided into four steps using a variety of methodological approaches, including a review of the SLR literature, analysis of the successes and failures of existing solutions, and qualitative workshops with stakeholders. Findings: The conceptual basis of the proposed solution has been developed based on the existing knowledge on pro-environmental nudging and lessons learnt from existing solutions. Value/originality: The developed conceptual framework can contribute to local economies while promoting social solidarity. It has the potential to build communities which can act together for the purpose of urban climate resilience because, from the very beginning, it is co-created together with residents. Practical implementation and beneficiaries: The concept described in this paper can serve cities as a supportive solution, shaping climate change awareness and attitudes toward active engagement.

Personal and social norms in responsible computer acquisition

PurposeThis study aimed to investigate the mediating roles of social and personal norms in the relationships between transcendent values (i.e. altruistic and biospheric) and responsible computer acquisition behaviour (RCAB). Previous studies suggested the role of norms in explaining the value–behaviour relationship. However, they did not provide sufficient evidence of the mediating roles of both personal and social norms.Design/methodology/approachA self-administered questionnaire was employed to gather data from 571 consumers in Malaysia. The data were analysed using the structural equation modelling method.FindingsIt was found that personal and social norms partially mediate the relationship between altruistic values and RCAB. Social norms also partially mediate the relationship between altruistic values and personal norms. However, there was no significant relationship between biospheric values and RCAB; thus, the norms have no mediation roles.Practical implicationsIt provides policymakers and marketers insights into ways of encouraging pro-environmental behaviour such as RCAB.Originality/valueThis research provides empirical evidence of the mediating roles of personal and social norms in value–behaviour relationships in an emerging market context.

Learning outcomes measured in zoo and aquarium conservation education.

Communicating the topic of conservation to the public and encouraging proenvironmental behaviors can mitigate loss of biodiversity. Thus, the evaluation of educational efforts is important to ascertain the educational effects and provide high-quality conservation education. The learning outcomes of conservation education are diverse (e.g., attitudes, knowledge, and behavior). Considering the specific characteristics of these different outcomes and the factors that influence them is crucial to delivering successful conservation education. We reviewed 29 peer-reviewed articles published in English from January 2011 to April 2020 on empirical studies of learning outcomes of on-site conservation education in zoos and aquaria, institutions that seek to educate the public about conservation. We examined the range of learning outcomes, their definitions, and factors that influenced them. Cognitive outcomes were most frequently investigated (37%) in comparison with other outcomes (e.g., affective outcomes, 31%). The articles did not use explicit definitions for learning outcomes, and implicit or explorative definitions provided were inconsistent. Outcomes were influenced by various factors (e.g., prior experiences, staff interaction, animal behavior). Our results suggest the agenda of conservation education research should be broadened by examining all learning outcomes relevant to behavior change. Educational and behavior change theories should be used as a background for conservation education research to ensure clear and consistent definitions, derive appropriate instruments to measure learning outcomes, and relate learning outcomes to influencing factors. We recommend conservation education researchers and practitioners to treat conservation education holistically and acknowledge its learning outcomes' full complexity.

Encouraging pro-environmental consumption behaviour amongst Gen-Y consumers: right messages to different consumers?

PurposeMedia information is often considered critical to foster pro-environmental consumption behaviours (PECB). However, empirical evidence was inconsistent about the impact of environmental information exposure on the behaviours. Thus, the study aims to clarify that impact by investigating three different types of environmental information. Moreover, the study posited that consumers who hold different environment-related values may be receptive to and influenced differently by these types of information.Design/methodology/approachSurvey data were collected from 259 Gen-Y consumers in urban areas. The data were analysed for measure reliabilities and validities before hypotheses were tested using ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions.FindingsThe results revealed that the environmental problem-, action- and effectiveness-related information exposure affects pro-environmental personal norms (PNs) which then influence the behaviours. More importantly, the influences of action-related information and effectiveness-related information on PNs were moderated differently by egoistic values held by consumers.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the literature by highlighting the importance of information-value congruence in designing effective media campaigns.

Once Good, Always Good? Testing Nudge’s Spillovers on Pro Environmental Behavior

It is a common assumption to believe that encouraging pro environmental behavior (PEB) in one domain would lead to increased PEB in other domains (best-case scenario) or just be restricted to the initial targeted domain (worst-case scenario). Evidence from a rapidly growing literature on moral licensing suggests that interventions targeting behavioral change could lead to an even worse scenario, with individuals starting to underperform in one domain, as a compensation for their good performance in other domains. We propose to study the dynamic of PEBs when individuals are exposed to a specific nudge (priming) via an original experiment designed to capture actual behavior. We found that priming could increase PEB, but does not thwart moral licensing. Primed individuals end up doing worse than non-primed individual under a moral licensing condition. A more comprehensive view of the mechanisms underlying behavioral change is essential to support sustainable policies.

Encouraging pro-environmental behavior in university employees: An approach toward environmental sustainability as moderated by green organizational culture.

Global warming is occurring at an alarming rate, with climate change creating severe water-related hazards that are at the top of the natural disasters list. The highest human losses have been recorded in the past 50 years based on world meteorological organization calculations. Thus, everyone needs to play their part in environmental sustainability (ES). This will require a change in behavior; therefore, the current study considered pro-environmental behavior (PEB) crucial to ES among university employees. The moderating effect of green organizational culture (GOC) on the relationship between PEB and ES was also investigated. As it is typical of a Thai public university to expend a considerable amount of natural resources in the process of conducting its routine academic and operational activities, it is a setting worthy of investigation. The higher education sector is rarely explored in the areas of resource use and conservation; for this reason, this study was specifically targeted at the human factor in this specialized setting. A survey was performed on the faculty members of Thai public universities to verify the model. It was found that PEB influenced ES, and GOC moderated the relationship between PEB and ES. The results encompassed six dimensions of PEB and the moderating effect of GOC in the context of higher educational institutions. The findings have provided new insights into PEB intervention and modification in the context of higher education institutions whose management may use the results to strengthen employees' PEB by offering information, knowledge, and training.

The Role of Eco-Apps in Encouraging Pro-Environmental Behavior of Young People Studying in Poland

Nowadays, protection of the natural environment is the fundamental duty and challenge of humanity. Adverse environmental changes make it necessary to encourage behaviors that will reduce our negative impact. Due to the development of media, information reaches consumers through various channels. New media, including mobile applications, are becoming increasingly popular. Their potential impact on young consumers cannot be overestimated as young people are able to modify their attitudes, behaviors and habits more easily than older ones. The main aim of this study was to recognize the use of eco-applications as a new source of information in the field of pro-environmental behavior of young people studying in Poland. The research objectives included the identification of pro-environmental behaviors most often declared by students, verifying their recognition and use of eco-applications, and determining the features of eco-app design expected by young users. The study involved the methods of desk research, in-depth interview and computer-assisted web interviewing (CAWI). The empirical material obtained from 772 students representing Generation Z underwent quantitative and qualitative analysis, which allowed for the verification the proposed hypotheses. The respondents most often declared pro-environmental behavior in the household context. As regards eco-apps, the respondents were most likely to recognize applications promoted via traditional media. The main feature expected of eco-app design was ease of use, which does not mean that users expected the app to be in Polish, as this criterion was relatively low rated. The Mann-Whitney test and the Kruskal-Wallis test revealed relationships between such variables as gender, place of residence or income and pro-environmental behavior, the use of selected eco-apps and the expected features of eco-app design.