Eurobarometer Survey Research Articles

Misperceptions, Intergroup Prejudice, and the Varied Encounters Between European Citizens and Non-EU Foreigners

Abstract How does interpersonal exposure to immigrants influence citizens’ opinions about immigrants? The Intergroup Contact Theory (ICT) famously predicts improved attitudes under certain circumstances. However, research on the population innumeracy phenomenon predicts that this same exposure may worsen demographic misperceptions about immigrants. The current study seeks to analyze these contradictory possibilities with data on native-born citizens’ encounters with non-EU immigrants from the 2017 Eurobarometer survey. The analysis considers a wide variety of exposure contexts and generates hypotheses about which will matter most for each outcome based on cognitive availability processes and the optimal conditions outlined in the original ICT. The results indicate that intergroup exposure increases both positive attitudes toward immigrants and incorrect perceptions about immigrants. However, context matters. Those with exposure to immigrants among their primary networks or through their participation in sport, volunteer, and cultural activities exhibit the most pro-immigrant evaluations. Those with exposure through their neighborhoods and workplaces exhibit the most inflated perceptions. The study concludes by considering the implications of these findings for future research.

Decreasing trust in health institutions in EU during COVID-19: A Spatio-temporal analysis

Abstract Background Public trust is essential for easier acceptance of scientific, technological and policy interventions during crises. COVID-19 pandemic witnessed varied public responses to safety measures, highlighting the need for detailed public trust studies, especially in the health sector. Research shows considerable variation in trust in neighbouring regions to countries which is useful to understand in order to respond better to future pandemics. Objectives To analyze public trust in health institutions within the EU, to identify spatial clusters of the same at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to the present, and understand factors contributing to decreasing trust. Methods Data from the Standard Eurobarometer surveys between 2020 to 2022 was used to perform spatio-temporal analysis of trust in health institutions & medical staff. Results Data shows that trust in health institutions and medical staff decreased in most EU countries from 2020 to 2022. Mapping these values showed clear geographical clusters of varying trust. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Eastern Europe (52-66%) trusted less in health institutions and medical staff compared to Central (66-85%) or Western Europe (85-97%). By 2022, although Eastern Europe maintained their tendency to not trust, the percentage of people who trusted health institutions reduced in Western and Central Europe. Interestingly, socio-demographic factors such as age, gender, education and income were found to not be associated with trust. However, several factors of perception such as life going in the right direction and difficulty in paying bills were identified to be significantly associated with trust. Conclusions It is essential to understand the reasons for this decrease in trust, whether pandemic responses of health institutions or by policy is what contributed to this pattern. Understanding these changes can enable better policy responses towards supporting trust in health institutions. Key messages • There is clear geographical clustering of public trust in the EU - Eastern European countries tended to not trust health institutions during the pandemic. • Socio-demographics showed no significant association with public trust. Interestingly, factors of perception were significantly associated.

Environmental Information: Different Sources Different Levels of Pro-Environmental Behaviours?

The role of final consumers for reaching different environmental policy targets is crucial. Therefore, raising awareness and fostering pro-environmental behaviours is of importance. However, there are a variety of sources for environmental information which can influence the activities undertaken. The study aims to analyse the relationship between different environmental information sources/channels and pro-environmental behaviours indicated by EU citizens. Based on a Eurobarometer survey covering all EU member states of that time, results revealed that television news remains the dominant source of environmental information (69.3%), followed by internet sources (36.7%) and newspapers (29.1%). On average, respondents perform 4.2 of 14 analysed pro-environmental behaviours. Those who indicate books and scientific literature as a source of environmental information on average perform 5.99 activities, compared to 4.8 activities by those receiving information from the internet, and 4.7 activities when information is received from newspapers. Though scientific literature is a source of environmental information for only 6.8% of EU citizens, regression analysis indicates that usage of books or scientific papers is significantly related to the number of actions performed. Internet sources (websites, blogs, forums), newspapers, and films and documentaries on television are other rather strong predictors of pro-environmental behaviour. Though all sources might be of importance for environmental information provision, less employed ones should be promoted and used to raise awareness of environmental issues and corresponding behaviours.

Pandemic-Induced Shifts in Climate Change Perception and Energy Consumption Behaviors: A Cross-Country Analysis of Belgium, Italy, Romania, and Sweden

This research explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on consumer behavior and preferences related to household energy consumption through actions to fight climate change in Belgium, Romania, Italy, and Sweden. Using data from two Eurobarometer surveys conducted in 2019 and 2021, the study examines shifts in climate change perception, actions to combat climate change, and the influence of socio-economic and demographic variables on these actions. Depending on the country, the findings reveal significant pandemic-induced changes in public perceptions of climate change and personal actions to combat it. Age, gender, and education level were found to influence climate change actions. Financial constraints also significantly influenced the adoption of energy-efficient behaviors. Our research enriches existing knowledge by exploring the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on climate change perceptions and actions across diverse European countries, shedding light on the interplay between global crises and sustainability. The research methodology, including chi-square tests, logistic regression, and effect size measurements, provides a robust framework for understanding how economic factors and consumer behaviors are contributing to the development of effective energy policies.

Diverse and dynamic Slovenia, towards the necessary changes

Cultural heritage is a value in all its forms. As an important and indivisible part of local, regional, national and European identity, it represents the quality of the living environment and is a key source of balanced development. Heritage is the foundation of Slovenia’s cultural diversity, which is intertwined with remarkable landscape and biological diversity and the country’s attractiveness for living, education, development, artistic creation, tourism and other economic activities. Cultural heritage broadens Slovenia’s visibility in the international community. In a Eurobarometer survey (2017), 92% of Slovenians surveyed said that cultural heritage is important for our country, and 76% said they are proud of our common heritage. Naturally, cultural heritage cannot exist without the people who protect, preserve and popularise it. This is precisely where we need to work on the challenges and problems that have arisen as a result of the free movement of labour and the emergence of market activities.
 One of the biggest challenges facing the conservation-restoration Þeld is the regulation of the profession. The regulation of the conservation-restoration professions is relevant in Slovenia for the public sector and in the case of persons who independently perform a specialised profession through recognition fees, from the point of view of covering the social instruments in the Þeld of self-employment in the cultural heritage sector. The status of self-employed persons in the cultural heritage sector is granted by the Ministry of Culture. However, the profession isn´t regulated on the market since anyone who believes they have sufÞcient knowledge, even without appropriate education, can create and register a conservation and restoration business in any Þeld without examination by a commission. Conservation and restoration activities in Slovenia can therefore be based on three different starting points: The Public sector (regulated), the Status of self-employed persons in the cultural heritage sector (regulated), and Independent entrepreneurship in the Þeld of conservation and restoration (unregulated).

Traditional media versus new media: Between trust and use

The article explores if and to what extent traditional media, namely TV, radio and the printed press, are still more popular than new media when it comes to news consumption within the EU. It also looks at the level of trust in different news sources across EU member states. The article is based on the results of a pertinent Eurobarometer survey and a Reuters Institute study. According to these sources, television is one of the forms of media most used to access news, followed by online news platforms and radio. Trust in the mainstream broadcast and print media is also higher than in online news platforms and social media channels. The findings seek to feed both the public discussion and academic dialogue on media consumption and trust, and convey some compelling empirical data and analysis.

Who is Afraid of More Women in Politics, and Why? An Analysis of Public Opinion in 28 European Countries

ABSTRACT We study how individual and country-level variables interact in affecting political gender attitudes in Europe. Based on data from the 2017 Eurobarometer survey, we show that there are high levels of support for more women in politics and legal measures to achieve gender parity across the EU. In fact, more people, and women in particular, put higher trust in female compared to male political representatives than the other way round. We find that – at the individual level – gender, age and education have significant effects on political gender attitudes. Contrary to theory, however, the effect of gender is not mediated by beliefs about the proper role of women in politics and society. We also do not find support for the contextual effects of masculine culture and the religiosity of society, but we do uncover significant gaps in political gender attitudes between post-communist and other countries, especially for men.

Do prosumers behave differently from other consumers on collaborative consumption platforms?

PurposeThis paper aims at understanding the differences between user profiles in collaborative consumption (CC) platforms in order to improve their management approaches and set up customized strategies. Particularly, the authors investigate the emerging role of prosumers and their influence on the active participation and growth of CC platforms. Moreover, the authors study user experience to help promoting users' recommendation and offering intention.Design/methodology/approachThe sample includes responses from 6,388 users of CC platforms across the EU. The data were collected through the European Commission's Flash Eurobarometer survey 467 and analyzed through a partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and a fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA).FindingsThe PLS-SEM findings suggest that prosumers are more likely than consumers to recommend and offer services through CC platforms. Furthermore, previous experience using platforms positively affects the switch from consumers to prosumers. The fsQCA suggests that only economic advantages affect the switchover decision.Research limitations/implicationsThis study deepens the hitherto unexplored prosumer role in CC platforms and its antecedents and drivers.Practical implicationsThe main limitations concern the generalizability outside of the EU, the unbalanced coverage of sectors and the number of moderator variables.Social implicationsProsumers act as golden actors because they contribute to enlarge both the customer base (through recommendations) and the provider base (through offering intention). Hence, managers should focus on prosumers' experiences to increase the critical mass and positive externalities of CC platforms.Originality/valueThis study helps understand the importance of the role of prosumers in the growth of CC platforms. The study provides more robust results through a cross-country and mixed-method research.

Differential trends in prolonged sitting time in Europe: a multilevel analysis of European Eurobarometer data from 2013 to 2022

Abstract Aim Sitting time is a modifiable risk factor for morbidity and mortality. However, only a few studies have examined how prolonged sitting time has changed over time. Thus, we examined time trends in prolonged sitting time and how trends differ according to sociodemographic groups (age, gender, region, education, income, occupation). Subject and methods We used data from three population-based Eurobarometer surveys conducted in 2013, 2017 and 2022, comprising responses from N = 73448 participants aged 15 years and older from 26 European countries. Multilevel logistic regression models were applied. Results We found differential trends in the odds of prolonged sitting time over the study period. Sitting time significantly increased among middle-aged participants (21-65 years; OR = 1.14, 95%-CI = [1.07; 1.22]), decreased among adolescents (15-20 years; OR = 0.74, 95%-CI = [0.62; 0.88]), and remained relatively stable for older adults (66+ years; OR = 0.94, 95%-CI = [0.84; 1.06]). Furthermore, the increases in middle-aged adults were most strongly observed in those with manual jobs (OR = 1.36, 95%-CI = [1.16; 1.60]) those unemployed (OR = 2.36, 95%-CI = [1.92; 2.89]), and those with income difficulties (e.g., OR = 1.72, 95%-CI = [1.40; 2.11]). Conclusion Thus, trends in sitting time in Europe are differential and not homogeneous: Prolonged sitting time has decreased or remained stable in some subgroups and increased in others. Especially middle-aged participants with a lower socioeconomic status showed increasing prolonged sitting times over the study period. Tailored interventions are needed to target most at-risk groups.

Innovation Strategies and Implementation of Various Circular Economy Practices: Findings from an Empirical Study in France

We go beyond the literature that argues for environmental innovation as an essential driver of the transition to a Circular Economy (CE), examining whether firms deploying specific innovation strategies are better placed to adopt this transition. Distinguishing four basic Schumpeterian innovation strategies (product, process, single, complex innovation strategy) and three others (frugal, organizational, business model innovation), we measure the transition to the CE by examining the adoption by firms of five categories of circular practices proposed in the Flash Eurobarometer survey, used extensively in the literature. Estimations of multivariate probit models show that product innovator strategy has a minor influence on the adoption of CE practices, while a process innovation strategy has a slightly stronger impact. Most influential strategies are complex and frugal innovations. Business model innovation influences the implementation of only two CE practices. Our study reveals specific innovation strategies which are more impactful regarding the transition to the CE.JEL Codes: L1, O31, O33, Q2

Resource‐efficiency actions and financial performance: Exploring the moderating role of production cost

AbstractThis study employs the Porter hypothesis framework to test the moderating role of production cost in the relationship between resource‐efficiency actions and financial performance for German small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). For this purpose, we employ the 2012, 2018, and 2021 Flash Eurobarometer surveys to analyze how consistently SMEs adopt resource‐efficiency actions, and the impact of these actions on their performance and costs. We also conduct a generalized method of moments regression analysis (GMM). Among the seven resource‐efficiency actions proposed, saving water had a significant positive (negative) influence on financial performance in 2012, 2021, and (2018). Saving energy and using renewable energy had a positive and significant (insignificant) effect on financial performance in 2018, 2021, and (2012). Finally, selling scrap material to other companies had a positive and significant impact in all years. Furthermore, increased production costs negatively moderate the relationship between eco‐efficiency action scores and financial performance. The results indicate that the “strong” version of the Porter hypothesis is not supported: It only holds when the implementation of eco‐efficiency actions reduces production costs and increases financial performance.

Understanding organic food consumption in the European Union: the interaction between health and environmental consumer's goals

PurposeBased on goal-directed behavior, this study explores the direct effects and the interaction between health and environmental concerns as the main drivers of organic food consumption. Consumer's economic problems are proposed as the main barrier for such behavior from a cost-benefit approach theoretically grounded on decision theory.Design/methodology/approachData were collected using the 26,669 European 95.1 wave participants of the Eurobarometer survey. Logistic regression estimates are used to analyze the hypotheses postulated.FindingsThe results indicated the significant association of both health and environmental concerns with organic food consumption, as well as the existence of an interactive effect between both consumer goals. As a novel finding, health concern weakens the influence of environmental concern on organic food consumption. Consumer's economic problems harms the expansion of organic food consumption as well as other socio-demographic factors included as control variables.Originality/valueFor the first time, this research explores the interaction effect between health and environmental concerns as antecedents of organic food consumption. The study argues that these consumer goals present differential features in terms of individual importance, feasibility, abstractness and outcome demonstrability, resulting in a prevalence of health over environmental goals for some consumers. The research provides not only novel insights for understanding organic food consumption but also provides additional evidence for practitioners to develop sales strategies and policymakers to formulate policies to guide the promotion of this so desired example of sustainable consumption.

Social Media Effects on Public Trust in the European Union.

This paper scrutinizes the effect of social media use on institutional trust in the European Union (EU) among European citizens. Fixed-effects regression models on data from the Eurobarometer survey conducted in 2019, the year of the most recent European Parliament (EP) elections, demonstrate that higher social media use is associated with lower trust in the EU. More importantly, social media usage habits exert particularly detrimental effects in regions with wider and faster internet connections. In such high-information environments, those who more frequently use online social networks, tend to trust those networks, and receive information on EU affairs from these networks have less faith in the EU compared to those in regions with lower-quality internet access. In contrast, in regions with lower broadband access, receiving EU information from social media fosters political trust.

Urban-rural differences in perceived environmental opportunities for physical activity: a 2002-2017 time-trend analysis in Europe.

Urban-rural disparities in resources, services and facilities not only impact daily living conditions but also contribute to inequalities in physical activity, which may be associated with variations in basic public resources between urban and rural areas. This study aims to examine the evolution of perceived opportunities for physical activity in European urban and rural environments from 2002 to 2017 and their association with an active lifestyle. Data from four waves (2002, 2005, 2013 and 2017) of cross-sectional Eurobarometer surveys were collected (n = 101 373), and multilevel binomial logistic regressions were conducted. Firstly, the time trend of perceived opportunities for physical activity between urban and rural environments was explored, and secondly, the effect of urban-rural perceived opportunities on achieving an active lifestyle over the years was estimated. The findings revealed that individuals residing in rural settings encountered less opportunities to be physically active. Conversely, urban settings experienced an increase in perceived opportunities. The significance of health promotion through perceived physical activity opportunities lies in the increased likelihood of being physically active, regardless of place of residence or individual socioeconomic factors [in the area: odds ratio (OR) = 1.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.34-1.47; provided by local sport clubs: OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.23-1.35]. Modifying environmental aspects, such as enhancing the quantity, quality and accessibility of physical activity opportunities in both rural and urban areas, may lead to improved physical activity and health promotion, particularly among individuals who are more physically inactive.

Cross Border Dispute Resolution

Since the inception of technology which propelled globalization, further catalyzed by COVID pandemic, the reliance on electronic means for communication, transactions, and interactions has become paramount. Recent findings from a Euro barometer survey reveal that a substantial 41% of individuals who initiated formal complaints regarding cross-border purchases expressed dissatisfaction with the resolution process. Notably, a mere 6% pursued arbitration, mediation, or conciliation mechanisms, prompting a critical examination of the reasons behind the limited recourse to these dispute settlement avenues. This research paper investigates the underlying factors influencing the low utilization of such mechanisms, probing into the experiences of dis-satisfied consumers and the barriers they encounter. Efficient resolution of disputes is recognized as a method to boost consumer trust in online purchases across international borders. This study investigates the practicalities of redress mechanisms available to consumers, the enforcement of consumer rights, and the utilization of online alternative dispute resolution, particularly within the context of cross-border e-commerce.

Equitably Undeterred? Persistence of Education Mobility and Migration Intent among Upper Secondary Education Students throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic

This paper aims to explore the effects of the pandemic on future mobility aspirations, as COVID-19 pandemic induced disruptions in overall educational experience and international mobility. The authors assess whether the hardship caused by the pandemic has affected Croatian upper secondary school students’ international migration intent and aspirations for studying abroad. To that cause, authors combine three large-scale nationally representative studies conducted in the pre-pandemic (2017), pandemic (2021) and late-pandemic (2022) period. The results indicate that the number of days school spent in remote learning proved modestly associated with lower intent to migrate or to study abroad in 2021. However, contrary to expectations drawn from literature, the prevalence of intent of moving abroad remained persistent compared to pre-pandemic, while aspirations for studying abroad increased. The expected moderation effects of students’ socio-economic background on migration intent during the pandemic and school closure, failed to materialize, except for migration intent in 2021, when having tertiary-educated parents proved more advantageous. In line with recent Eurobarometer surveys, our analysis imply little evidence of long-term devaluation of mobility capital among Croatian upper secondary students, as the moderators throttling mobility aspirations have likely receded.

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.

Relationship Between Attitudes Toward and Perceptions of Gender Roles and Equality and the Gender Gap in Bicycle Use Across European Countries

Various factors have been proposed to explain gender differences in bicycle use. The aim of the current research was to investigate the relationship between attitudes and perceptions of gender roles and equality and the gender gap in bicycle use across the member states of the European Union. Data from Eurobarometer surveys on bicycle use as well as on attitudes and perceptions of gender roles and equality were aggregated at the country level. Bayesian correlation analyses showed that perceptions of general gender stereotypes, attitudes toward legal measures to ensure parity between men and women in politics, and perception of the gender pay gap were associated with the gender gap in bicycle use. The gender gap in bicycle use was not related to perceptions of gender and stereotypes associated with politics (except for one indicator). Bayesian regression analyses controlling for country-level differences in pro-cycling conditions and economic activity (gross domestic product per capita in purchasing power standards) confirmed the relationships, although the relative adequacy of the alternative hypothesis against the null hypothesis (Bayes factor) did change in some cases. The present findings suggest that the gender gap in bicycle use relates not only to structural gender inequality, but also to attitudes, perceptions, and norms about gender.

In NATO We Trust(?): The Russian Invasion of Ukraine and EU27 Citizens’ Trust in NATO

Abstract Institutional trust is trust in state’s institutions and organizations. Institutional trust also involves trust towards international and intergovernmental organizations such as the UN, the EU and NATO. Institutional trust includes citizens’ trust towards the national security apparatus or security providing organizations such as NATO. The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine is a major event with wide-ranging momentous political, economic and strategic ramifications. The latter affect European states’ security and defence. Such important events impact citizens’ risk-perceptions (in)security sentiments and hence their trust towards institutions assigned with the task of providing security. The paper examines how the Russian invasion has affected European citizens’ trust towards NATO. To probe into the issue, it uses data from two Eurobarometer surveys. A survey that took place just before the invasion in January and February 2022 and a survey that took place in June and July. A similar to regression discontinuity empirical setup is adopted to examine how European citizens’ trust towards NATO was impacted by the invasion. The empirical findings reported herein are not uniform across all EU member-countries and indicate noteworthy differences on trust towards NATO as a result of the Russian invasion. Nonetheless, on balance, a statistically significant effect is traced by the estimated regressions.

Small and medium sized European firms and energy saving measures: The role of financing

This paper investigates the factors (such as different sources of financing, energy audits and internal monitoring activities) affecting the propensity of European small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to adopt energy saving measures (ES). For this purpose, a Probit model is estimated using data from the 2017 Flash Eurobarometer survey covering a large sample of European firms. The analysis is carried out for the full sample as well as for clusters based on an environmental performance index (EPI) and on the level of economic development in turn. The results indicate that internal financing always has a positive effect on a firm's propensity to adopt ES. Private external sources of financing appear to be more important for Western European firms as well as for those located in countries with a greater level of environmental awareness; in the latter, when firms combine private financing with energy audits or internal monitoring activities the propensity to adopt ES increases further. By contrast, in the Eastern Countries this occurs when firms simultaneously rely on public funds and monitoring activities.