Responsible Environmental Behavior Research Articles

Determinants of Forest Recreation Visitors’ Environmentally Responsible Behavior: The Moderating Role of Family Structure

This research aims to verify the relationships between destination ij3dentity, environmental concern, and environmentally responsible behavior (ERB), based on the Cognition–Affect–Behavior (C–A–B) model, in the Sun-Link-Sea Forest Recreation Area (SLSFRA) in Taiwan. This study also aims to address the gap in understanding whether tourists’ family structure, with or without children, influences the impact of destination identity on their environmental concerns and ERB. A total of 431 samples were collected through convenience sampling and analyzed using structural equation modeling. The findings indicated that destination identity significantly influenced environmental concern, which in turn affected the general and specific ERB. Environmental concern acted as a mediator between destination identity and ERB. Specifically, tourists who strongly identified with the destination were more inclined to be concerned that its environmental condition influenced their travel experience, encouraging them to take action to protect the environment. Families with children who had greater environmental concern exhibited stronger general and specific environmentally responsible behavior (ERB) compared to families without children, who were more influenced by the impact of forest destination identity on their ERB. Practical implications for management and future research suggestions are proposed for relevant organizations and researchers.

Stimulating tourists’ senses for sustainable destination development: Combining embodied cognition theory and the S-O-R model

Tourists’ environmentally responsible behavior (ERB) is crucial for the sustainable development of destinations, and the external environment can alter individuals’ cognition and behavior through sensory perception. To investigate the impact of the natural environment on tourists’ ERB, a conceptual model was developed and validated from a sensory perspective by integrating the embodied cognition theory and the stimulus-organism-response model. The results of structure equation modeling indicated that, with the exception of auditory perception, tourists’ perceptions through each sense influenced ERB to varying degrees, mediated by memorable tourism experiences (MTEs) and environmental awareness. Additionally, the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis method was employed to identify five distinct configurations associated with high ERB. Notably, MTEs and environmental awareness, driven by sensory perceptions, emerged as critical factors. While all senses played a role, none alone could singularly determine high ERB. The findings reveal the mechanism through which sensory perception influences tourists’ ERB and offer practical insights for destinations to integrate tourism resources by aligning with tourists’ sensory experiences to promote sustainable tourism.

Developing Destination Brand Equity for Achieving Sustainable Destination Environment: S‐O‐R Theory to Influence Tourists’ Environment Responsible Behavior

The excessive use of natural resources and irresponsible behavior of tourists have posed severe threats to sustainable destination environment. In response, destination managers have been paying more attention to environmental protection and focusing on strategic ways to achieve a sustainable destination environment. Objective of the study is to analyze the influence of destination brand equity (DBE) on tourists’ environmentally responsible behavior (ERB). The study considered four dimensions of DBE, including perceived destination awareness, quality, image, and loyalty. Further, the study explored the interrelationship among the dimensions of DBE and considered perceived destination loyalty (PDL) as a mediator. Further the study explained tourists’ ERB with the serial mediation of perceived destination trust (PDT) and moderation of destination green equity (DGE). The study employed a self-administrative survey method, and data were gathered from 911 respondents who attended selected nature parks. Results for DBE indicated insignificant effect of perceived destination awareness (PDA) on tourists’ ERB, while perceived destination quality (PDQ) and perceived destination image (PDI) have a significant impact on tourists’ ERB. Further results indicated that PDL has significantly mediated all three dimensions of DBE. The results also revealed that PDT and PDL serially mediated the effect of PDA, PAQ, and PDI on tourists’ ERB. Finally, moderation results indicated that DGE significantly moderated the effect of PDQ, PDI, and PDL on tourists’ ERB. The study has enhanced the existing literature on destination branding and tourists’ ERB through Stimuli‐Organism‐Response (S‐O‐R) model. The study has proposed significant branding strategies for destination management to influence tourists’ ERB. The study has also suggested strategies for policymakers and tourism departments.

Exploring Factors Influencing on Urban Residents’ Environmental Responsible Behaviour in Urban Green Space of Henan Province, China

One of the main research directions in current environmental responsibility behavior is to explore its influencing factors. Therefore, this study constructs a two-dimensional model of "cognition + affective → behavior" to analyze the influencing mechanism of "cognition" and "affection" factors on urban residents' environmental responsibility behavior (URERB). Among them, environmental knowledge (EK) as an explanation of environmental cognitive factors, and place attachment (PA) and anticipated emotions (AE) as an explanation of environmental affective factors, are considered as independent variables; URERB is the dependent variable. Based on this model, three research hypotheses are proposed. The research results show that: 1) "cognition + affective" factors can effectively assess the influencing factors of URERB; 2) environmental knowledge has a positive impact on URERB; 3) place attachment has a direct and significant positive effect on URERB; 4) anticipated emotions do not show a direct and significant impact on URERB. Therefore, by implementing the "cognition + affective" strategy, urban green spaces can effectively promote URERB and stimulate urban residents' proactive participation in environmental protection.

The Impact of Tourists’ Perceived Value on Environmentally Responsible Behavior in an Urban Forest Park: The Mediating Effects of Satisfaction and Subjective Well-Being

Urban forest parks serve as significant venues for tourists’ leisure and recreation. The experiences and perceptions of tourists in these parks considerably influence their attitudes and behaviors. While numerous studies have investigated the functions and values of urban forest parks at a macro level, the mechanisms influencing tourists’ perceived values and their environmentally responsible behavior at a micro level remain under explored. This research used structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the association between tourists’ perceived values and their environmentally responsible behavior, including the mediating functions of tourists’ satisfaction and their subjective well-being. 502 valid questionnaires in total were obtained from Changpoling National Forest Park in Guiyang City, Guizhou, China, for this case study. The results show that there are some variances in the impact of the dimensions of tourists’ perceived value on environmentally responsible behavior, in which service quality, resource quality, and emotional value impose a pronounced positive effect on environmentally responsible behavior, tourism costs impose a pronounced negative effect on environmentally responsible behavior, and the activity experience does not exert a pronounced effect on environmentally responsible behavior. Satisfaction and subjective well-being have a mediating function during the process of positive influence of tourists’ perceived value on their environmentally responsible behavior and serve as partial mediators, and the significant positive influence of satisfaction on subjective well-being as well as subjective well-being on environmentally responsible behavior are verified. This research can help better explain the mechanism of the effect of tourists’ perceived value exerted on environmental responsibility behavior in nature-based tourism destinations, and also has a guiding and reference significance for the sustainable development of urban forest parks.

The Influence of Tourist–Environment Fit on Environmental Responsibility Behavior: A Moderated Mediation Model

Urban forest parks have emerged as significant tourist destinations thanks to economic expansion and the rise in free time. These parks offer tourists the opportunity to connect with nature. Existing studies have examined the value and importance of urban forest parks for tourists. However, there is a lack of research on the interaction between tourists and the natural environment and its influence on environmental responsibility. This study used structural equation modeling to explore the impact of tourist–environment fit on environmentally responsible behavior and the mediating role of natural empathy and awe in the impact of the above-mentioned relationship. In addition, the moderating role of tourists’ different cultural backgrounds (nationalities) was also analyzed. In this study, 509 valid questionnaires were collected from field surveys in April and May 2024 at the forest park of Lim City, Seoul, Republic of Korea. The data analysis indicates a notable and favorable impact of tourist–environment fit on visitors’ natural empathy, awe, and environmentally responsible behavior. Natural empathy and awe play a mediating role in the influence of tourist–environment fit on environmentally responsible behavior. It suggests that the fit between tourists and the recreational environment of urban forest parks promotes the emergence of empathy and awe and, thus, stimulates tourists’ environmentally responsible behavior. In addition, tourists’ cultural backgrounds play a moderating role in the influence of natural empathy and awe on environmentally responsible behavior. Compared to Korean tourists, Chinese tourists’ natural empathy and awe strongly influence environmentally responsible behavior compared to Korean tourists. This paper also explores the theoretical progress and practical observations that provide guidance and serve as references for the management and sustainable development of urban forest parks.

Research on the Mechanism of the Influence of Thermal Stress on Tourists’ Environmental Responsibility Behavior Intention: An Example from a Desert Climate Region, China

The desert climate region attracts a multitude of tourists due to its distinctive landforms and climatic conditions, however, it also presents challenges for environmental protection. This article constructs a theoretical model that examines the influence of thermal stress on tourists’ environmental responsibility behavior intention (ERBI), with anticipated pride and anticipated guilt serving as mediating factors. An empirical study is conducted in Turpan, Xinjiang, which represents a typical inland arid area in China. The results indicate that: (1) thermal stress does not have a significant direct impact on ERBI, nevertheless, anticipated pride and anticipated guilt play crucial mediating roles between thermal stress and this intention. (2) Furthermore, environmental knowledge positively moderates the relationship between anticipated pride, anticipated guilt, and the ERBI. This research contributes to the understanding of how tourists’ anticipatory emotions affect their ERBI in desert climate regions while deepening our comprehension of the driving mechanisms behind such intentions among tourists. Moreover, it provides theoretical references for promoting environmentally responsible behaviors among tourists visiting desert climate regions.

How to create sustainability of destination? Evidence from ecotourism community in Taiwan

ABSTRACT This study employed the stimulus – organism – response framework to explore the relationships between destination social responsibility (DSR), environmental sensitivity (ES), and environmentally responsible behavior (ERB), and to verify the mediating role of ES and moderating role of DSR. Convenience sampling was performed to survey 391 tourists who visited the Shanmei and Ruili communities in Alishan, Taiwan, and structural equation modeling was used to verify the aforementioned mediating and moderating relationships. The results revealed that perceived DSR positively influenced the relationship between ES and ERB in tourists and that ES positively influenced ERB. When tourists perceived a high level of DSR, their ES increased, which in turn promoted ERB; therefore, ES played a mediating role in the relationship between DSR and ERB. Additionally, a high level of perceived DSR strengthened the relationship between ES and ERB in tourists. The findings of this study have management implications and provide future research directions.

The Effects of Recreational Involvement in Urban Wetland Parks on Tourists' Environmentally Responsible Behavior: The Chain-Mediated Effects of Well-Being and Loyalty

The Effects of Recreational Involvement in Urban Wetland Parks on Tourists' Environmentally Responsible Behavior: The Chain-Mediated Effects of Well-Being and Loyalty

The influence of tourist values on environmental responsibility behavior—a multi-case study from Guilin

Cultivating tourists’ environmental responsibility behavior is an effective way to relieve the pressure of ecological environment in tourist destinations. Based on the value-attitude-behavior theory, this paper constructs a relationship model of values, ecotourism attitude, social responsibility awareness and environmental responsibility behavior, and explores the mechanism of tourists’ values influence on environmental responsibility behavior. Taking three scenic areas (Mao’er Mountain, Yulong River and Xingping Ancient Town) in the Lijiang River Basin of Guilin, a world-famous tourist destination in China, as a case study, the structural equation model is used to test the theoretical hypotheses of tourists’ environmental responsibility behavior. The results of the three studies show that values have a significant positive impact on tourists’ environmental responsibility behavior, while ecotourism attitude cannot directly affect tourists’ environmental responsibility behavior, but values can indirectly affect tourists’ environmental responsibility behavior through the chain intermediary of ecotourism attitude and social responsibility awareness. The findings of the study can effectively guide tourists’ environmental responsibility behavior, which has far-reaching significance for the sustainable development of tourist destinations.

The relationship research between restorative perception, local attachment and environmental responsible behavior of urban park recreationists

The environmentally responsible behavior of tourists has been one of the focal points in the field of sustainable tourism research in recent years. Taking Guangzhou City Park as an example, this study investigates the relationship between restorative perception, place attachment, and environmentally responsible behavior of urban park recreationists by constructing the theoretical framework of "cognition-emotion-behavior" of recreationalists via online questionnaire surveys and using the test method of structural equation mode. Studies have shown that: (1) When the restorative perception of the environment is compatible, malleable, and attractive, the recreationist will produce environmentally responsible behavior. Meanwhile, when the environment has a sense of distance and compatibility, it will promote the active environmentally responsible behavior of tourists; (2) the path of perceptual environmental compatibility in the restorative perception of recreationists being → place dependence→ place identity → environmentally responsible behavior has a positive impact on environmentally responsible behavior; (3) place attachment has a significant positive impact on environmentally responsible behavior. This paper suggests that urban park management governors should focus on improving the charm and attractiveness of parks, diversifying recreational activities, and creating emotional attachment places, so as to promote the development of urban parks and meet the diverse needs and experiences of park recreation.

Exploring Environmental Influences on Responsible Tourism: The Role of Attitudes and Behaviour

In this study, we aim to explore the relationship between various independent variables, namely environmental attitude, environmental responsible behaviour, sustainability concern, and perceived behaviour control, and their influence on responsible tourism attitude. We hypothesize that individuals with a positive environmental attitude, engaged in responsible behaviour on environment, and displaying a high level of sustainability concern will exhibit a stronger responsible tourism attitude. Furthermore, we investigate the impact of responsible tourism attitude on responsible tourism intention. By conducting surveys and analysing the data collected, we hope to shed light on the factors that shape individuals' attitudes towards responsible tourism. This research is crucial in understanding how individuals' beliefs, behaviours, and concerns about the environment contribute to their attitudes towards responsible tourism. Ultimately, the findings of this study can inform the development of strategies and interventions aimed at promoting responsible tourism practices and fostering sustainable travel behaviours.

Heterogenous social mechanisms drive the intention to purchase organic food

PurposeThis article explores the heterogenous social mechanisms that drive responsible environmental behaviours by investigating differences in the mean effect of the psychosocial determinants of the intention to buy organic foods.Design/methodology/approachUsing data for a representative sample of the Spanish population, we estimated the mean effect of the constructs represented in the responsible environmental behaviour (REB) theory that affect sustainable food consumption, and examined the social mechanisms that may explain heterogeneity in the mean effect of those constructs. Confirmatory factor analysis, linear regression, and latent class regression were used in the analysis.FindingsWe found that the effect of REB’s psychosocial constructs varied significantly, demonstrating social heterogeneity in the estimated average effect. We identified different social mechanisms that explain variations in organic food purchase intentions: environmental attitudes and social norms shape these intentions among socioeconomically privileged consumers, whereas personal norms shape these intentions among less socially advantaged consumers.Originality/valueOur research contributes to the literature by highlighting the existence of differing social mechanisms explaining organic food purchase intentions. The uncovering of three social mechanisms explaining differences in the mean effect of factors driving those intentions provides valuable insights with regard to both further developing a holistic framework for responsible environmental behaviours and developing new public policies and marketing strategies aimed at improving sustainable food consumption.

RESEARCH ON THE IMPACT OF MORAL GAZE ON TOURISTS' ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOR

Tourists construct and consume tourist destinations through the tourist gaze. Simultaneously, their behaviors are exposed to the gaze of bystanders, whose “moral” gaze can be transformed into silent comments that condemn or praise, placing tourists under invisible moral surveillance and regulating their behaviors. This paper attempts to study the influence of moral gaze on tourists’ environmental responsibility behavior by initiating an experiment. The findings reveal that tourists’ self-consciousness is awakened after being influenced by moral gaze, and their perception of social norms is improved. The mechanism of reputation management and normative activation prompts tourists to consciously modify their own behavior. Through this study, it is hoped that the findings will contribute to the formulation of ecological management policies in tourism destinations.

Environment and blue tourism: Moving towards sustainability—6th maritime tourism observatory for Skyros Island

Ports are some of the most significant entry points for Greek tourism investments and can be characterized as “development tools” for the country, both at the local and national level. The blue economy is a recent example of economic development, globally promoted as a way to achieve sustainability in maritime and coastal areas. Linaria Port has been accredited by the United Nations as a “The blue port with a shade of green,” constituting an environmentally sustainable community capable of promoting responsible environmental behavior both within the local community and among tourists. The port has been highly competitive in achieving high sustainability standards and mainly operates in ways that complement environmental quality. It has presented innovative, competitive, and sustainable solutions since 2010. This research aimed to collect primary and secondary data on tourist preferences to evaluate these services. Evaluation was conducted through anonymous questionnaires divided into two parts: the first part concerned the tourist profile, and the second part concerned tourists’ opinions on the services and facilities of the Port and the island. In the evaluation of the port, 91% of respondents rated the marina positively compared to other ports in the country, while 77% ranked the port of Skyros in a good position compared to other European or international ports. The overall quality of the tourist product was positively evaluated at 89%, while 90% of visitors were generally satisfied with the overall services offered. Moreover, 95% would return to Skyros within the next years.

Association between ocean literacy and climate change mitigation efforts in the Republic of Korea

Promoting ocean literacy can lead to numerous benefits, such as improved marine ecosystem comprehension, responsible environmental behavior, and support for marine conservation policies. However, past research focused on the contribution of ocean literacy to the public’s support for marine policy and management, failing to expand the concept to broader issues like climate change. This study aims to assess people’s ocean literacy and its association with climate change mitigation behaviors, using a nationally representative survey that collected 2000 responses in the Republic of Korea in November 2022. The results provide evidence that people with a better understanding of the ocean are more likely to follow recommendations for climate change mitigation, including reducing disposable products, using public transportation, and using eco-friendly products. This association was robust against varying levels of climate change risk perception. These findings imply that promoting public ocean literacy can be an effective strategy for encouraging people to engage in efforts to mitigate climate change in their daily lives.

A Literature Review of the Academic Study of Tourists’ Environmentally Responsible Behavior in China

Training tourists with environmentally responsible behavior is helpful to protect the environment of the tourist destination and is an important way to realize the sustainable development of the tourist destination. Therefore, it is necessary to study and understand the influencing factors and driving mechanism of tourists' environmentally responsible behavior, so as to form strategies for promoting environmentally responsible behavior and therefore provide scientific basis for management decision-making. This paper reviews the relevant research of Chinese scholars on tourists' environmental responsibility behavior, analyzes the characteristics of the literature, summarizes the research hotspots, and draws a research prospect based on the review and analysis, in order to provide reference for relevant research.

Influencing the Mechanism of Tourists’ Choice of Green Transportation Modes—A Case Study of Beijing, China

This paper discusses the mechanism of tourists choosing green transportation means. Based on relevant research, this paper first constructed the concept of green transportation for tourist destinations. Then, based on the two theories of tourists’ environmental responsibility behavior—the theory of planned behavior and the theory of norm activation, combined with the characteristics of tourists’ demand for transportation in tourist destinations—a model aimed at influencing the mechanism of tourists’ choice of green transportation was constructed. Two tools, SPSS24.0 and AMOS23.0, were chosen for data analysis to provide policy suggestions for the destination to promote the guide for choosing green transportation means and providing tourists with more satisfactory transportation.

Content integration of environmental management practices and responsible behavior for senior high school learners

Content integration of environmental management practices and responsible behavior for senior high school learners

Environmental Social Responsibility, Local Environmental Protection Strategy, and Corporate Financial Performance – Empirical Evidence from Heavy Pollution Industry

Abstract This article empirically examines the “responsibility-performance” interaction in the process of environmental social responsibility decision-making by enterprises, using the listed companies in the heavy pollution industry as the research sample. We also use the evolutionary game theory to construct a system dynamics model for simulation analysis to explore the evolutionary qualities of the environmental responsibility behavior of heavily polluting enterprises and its relationship with financial performance under the influence of local government environmental regulation. It finds that for environmental social responsibility, a company's expected performance surplus is more likely to promote positive interaction between responsibility and performance than a gap; for regions with relatively negative environmental strategies, environmental social responsibility provides more efficient reputation transformation and motivates companies to invest in it; more competitive industries and enterprises with forward-looking environmental strategies tend to put performance feedback into the undertaking of environmental social responsibility. Therefore, the government and regulatory authorities should urge heavy polluting enterprises to implement environmental responsibility, so that they can fully realize that emission reduction and growth can be achieved at the same time and promote the financial performance of enterprises and environmental responsibility while forming a win–win situation at the ecological level and corporate social level.