Intention-behavior Gap Research Articles

Bridging the Intention–Behavior Gap: Effect of Altruistic Motives on Developers’ Action towards Green Redevelopment of Industrial Brownfields

Green redevelopment (GR) is a promising strategy to deal with industrial brownfields, this sustainable initiation usually fails to be implemented practically in China. Thus, investigating the driving mechanism of developer’s GR behavior, as executors of renovation project, is quite essential. The study introduced formative constructs perceived risk (PR) and perceived cost (PC), integrated them with theory of planned behavior (TPB), and extended them by adding two altruistic motives, awareness of responsibility (AR) and awareness of consequence (AC), as moderation variables to explore the bridging role of altruistic motives in GR’s intention–behavior gap. Based on 156 developers-oriented field surveys, the study conducted data analysis through partial least square structural equation modeling. It interestingly showed that subjective norm could primarily affect developers’ GR behavior, while perceived behavior control is not a significant influencing factor. Meanwhile, adding PR and PC as the additional constructs significantly increased the explanatory power of standard TPB model. Furthermore, the conclusion confirmed altruistic motives AR can distinctly adjust the relationship between GR intention and behavior, whereas AC has no such effect. These findings provide a scientific theoretical basis and a targeted path reference for promoting GR of industrial brownfields.

Mitigating the Security Intention-Behavior Gap: The Moderating Role of Required Effort on the Intention-Behavior Relationship

Although users often express strong positive intentions to follow security policies, these positive intentions fail to consistently translate to behavior. In a security setting, the inconsistency between intentions and behavior—termed the intention-behavior gap—is particularly troublesome, as a single failure to enact positive security intentions may make a system vulnerable. We address a need in security compliance literature to better understand the intention-behavior gap by explaining how an omnipresent competing intention—the user’s desire to minimize required effort—negatively moderates the relationship between positive intentions and actual security behavior. Moreover, we posit that this moderating effect is not accounted for in extant theories used to explain behavioral information security, introducing an opportunity to broadly impact information security research to more consistently predict behavior. In three experiments, we found that high levels of required effort negatively moderated users’ intentions to follow security policies. Controlling for this moderating effect substantially increased the explained variance in security policy compliance. The results suggest that security researchers should be cognizant of the existence of competing intentions, such as the desire to minimize required effort, which may moderate the security intention-behavior relationship. Otherwise, such competing intentions may cause unexpected inconsistencies between users’ intentions to behave securely and their actual security behavior.

Consumption in the Circular Economy: Learning from Our Mistakes

The Circular Economy (CE) is gaining increasing attention among businesses, policymakers and academia, and across research disciplines. While the concept’s strong diffusion may be considered its main strength, it has also contributed to the emergence of many different understandings and definitions, which may hinder or slow down its success. Specifically, despite growing attention, the role of the consumption side in the CE remains a largely under-researched topic. In the present review, we first search the literature by means of snowball mapping and a systematic key-word strategy, and then critically analyze the identified sources in order to elucidate the fundamental elements that should characterize consumption in a CE. We extract two pillars, directly from definition, that should be at the nucleus of future research on consumption in the CE: (1) the hierarchical nature of circular strategies, with “reduce” being preferred to all other strategies; and (2) the inadequacy of defining the CE only through its loops or strategies without considering its goal of attaining sustainable development. Moreover, the discussion is placed within the extant consumer research streams deemed relevant, in order to bridge these with the context of the CE. We highlight limitations of said research streams regarding their typical focus on the quality (and not the quantity) of consumption, the lack of heterogeneity in the theories and data collection methods employed, and the non-impact-based instruments typically used to measure consumption behaviors. We show how these limitations have contributed to the emergence of the intention–behavior gap, a phenomenon extant studies identify as key to overcome for encouraging sustainable consumption practices. In particular, we focus the analysis on the intention–behavior gap in order to: (1) establish the state-of-the-art; and (2) uncover avenues for future research addressing extant limitations.

Understanding action control of physical activity among mothers with young children

ABSTRACT Mothers with young children (MYC) are a critical target for physical activity (PA) promotion. Current research on the correlates of PA during early motherhood has generally considered intention as the primary determinant of behaviour, yet the intention-behaviour relationship is often modest. The purpose of this paper was to apply a framework designed to evaluate the intention-behaviour gap, known as multi-process action control (M-PAC), to understand PA among MYC. A community sample of 160 mothers (mean age 34.48; SD = 4.20) of at least one child under five completed M-PAC measures of reflective (instrumental attitude, affective attitude, self-efficacy), regulatory (planning), and reflexive (automaticity, identity) processes as well as intention to engage in PA and behaviour at public health guidelines (150 min/week of moderate or higher intensity). Four intention-behaviour profiles emerged: (a) non-intenders who were not active (21%; n = 34), (b) unsuccessful intenders who failed to perform PA (25%; n = 40), (c) successful intenders who were active (45%; n = 72) and (d) non-intenders who achieved PA (9%; n = 14). A discriminant function analysis [χ 2(18) = 63.84, p<0.001; canonical r = .54] showed that planning (r = .67), affective attitude (r = .58), and instrumental attitude (r = .57) distinguished between non-active non-intenders and successful intenders but only self-efficacy (r = .73), habit (r = .67), and identity (r = .65) could predict the intention-behaviour gap. The majority of MYC in this sample had positive PA intentions, yet over a third had a discordant intention-behaviour profile. Interventions focused on increasing self-efficacy and fostering the reflexive processes of habit and identity may be critical to translating intentions into action among this population.

From opportunity recognition to the start-up phase: the moderating role of family and friends-based entrepreneurial social networks

This study analyzes whether entrepreneurial intention mediates between opportunity recognition and the start-up phase of a business. It also sheds light on how the access to entrepreneurial social networks moderates this mediated relationship, as well as exploring which type of entrepreneurial social network (family- or friends-based) helps most in advancing the business project through the start-up process. The study uses original data on 616 university students enrolled in a variety of campuses and degrees in the central-southern area of Spain. The data reveal that entrepreneurial intention partially mediates the opportunity recognition–start-up phase relationship. Importantly, it reveals that a positive effect of this state of awareness on the start-up phase via entrepreneurial intention is stronger when someone in the social network owns a venture, especially if this person belongs to the potential entrepreneur’s family-based social network. The findings suggest that opportunity recognition is enough to advance through the start-up process, while also revealing that courses or curricular activities oriented towards fostering entrepreneurship should facilitate students’ access to entrepreneurial social networks. This paper is one of the few that helps better understand the path an individual should follow in order to advance through the start-up process once a market opportunity has been recognized. As a novel contribution to the literature, this paper elucidates how entrepreneurial social networks can help bridge the entrepreneurial intention-behavior gap and shows that access to family-based entrepreneurial social networks has a greater impact in this regard than friends-based entrepreneurial social networks.

Their Control will Make or Break the Sustainable Clothing Deal-A Study of the Moderating Impact of Actual Behavioural Control on the Purchase Intention-Behaviour Gap for Sustainable Clothing in India

The area of the purchase intention and purchase behaviour gap for consumers buying environmentally sustainable products with respect to the Theory of planned behaviour (TPB) framework has been studied extensively in past literature. But literature is scant when one studies the impact of ‘Actual behavioural control’ on the Purchase intention (PI) and purchase behaviour (PB) gap for the consumption of environmentally sustainable clothing. The TPB theory formulated by Ajzen in 1991 assumes that the actual behavioural control (ABC) will impact the purchase intention in the TPB. As there was no validated scale on the ABC in the past literature. Sheeran et al in 2003 made an attempt in testing the impact of Actual behavioural control on the purchase intention and formulate scale of Proxy measure of actual control (PMAC) in their study. Further Carrington et al. in 2010 tested the impact of the Actual behavioural control as a moderator in the purchase intention-behaviour gap qualitatively. The Empirical testing of the ABC to test the impact as a moderator in the Purchase intention-behaviour gap has never been done in the past studies. This study is the first study which analyses the impact of “Actual behavioural control” through a scale of “Proxy measure of actual behaviour” as a moderator in the PI-PB gap in the framework of the TPB for the consumption of sustainable clothing in India. Data collection has been done from Millennials of India. The research method of Structural equation modeling (SEM) has been used to assess the moderation impact of ABC on the purchase intention-behaviour gap. The findings of the study have shown that the PMAC positively moderates the relation of purchase intention and purchase behaviour for environmentally sustainable clothing. The outcome of the study is important to generate some crucial insights for the marketing strategies for the environmentally sustainable brands in Indian and to predict the behaviour of the Indian consumer towards such products.

Intention-Behavior Gap in the Use of Personal Health Records (PHRs)

This paper examined an intention-behavior gap in individuals' personal health records (PHRs) adoption behaviors using Ajzen's theory of planned behavior (TPB) that incorporates social factors. Using structural equation modeling, the authors analyze the health information national trends survey data. The research found that all of the constructs, except for perceived behavioral control (PBC), shape intentions to use PHRs. However, PBC only predicts actual use. Individuals who have higher intentions tend to believe that healthcare providers should be able to share their patients' PHRs with other professionals and that scientists should be able to review de-identified patient PHRs. Individuals who perceive that a need exists for privacy control over their own health information tend to have higher intentions. The moderating social factors between intentions and actual behaviors are healthcare accessibility and being female, while education (positively) and employment (negatively) have significant relationships with actual use of, but not with intentions to use, PHRs. Future research needs to explicate why the moderating effect revolves around gender.

Understanding the Gap between Environmental Intention and Pro-Environmental Behavior towards the Waste Sorting and Management Policy of China.

Environmental pollution and ecological damage caused by human activities have attracted widespread attention in recent years, and while citizens’ environmental awareness and intentions have increased, their actions may not necessarily change accordingly. This study aims to understand the intention–behavior gap, based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB), by exploring the relationship between intention and pro-environmental behavior on the new waste sorting policy in China. The structural model of extended TPB was tested using sample data from 3113 residents of Changsha, each of whom was asked to complete a two-stage survey. Results demonstrated that perceived policy effectiveness and actual behavioral control positively affect behavioral intention, implementation intention, and pro-environmental behavior. Among them, the actual behavioral control of residents was found to be the most influential factor on behavioral intention and implementation intention, followed by residents’ perceived policy effectiveness. Moreover, behavioral intention and implementation intention mediate the relationship between antecedents and pro-environmental behavior. These findings imply that people with high-level perceptions of policy effectiveness, strong control over actual behavior, strong behavioral intentions, and strong implementation intentions are more likely to engage in pro-environmental behavior. The findings suggest that factors such as perceived policy effectiveness and actual behavioral control should be considered when implementing new policies and campaigns for waste sorting and management.

The Relationship of Self-efficacy and Explicit and Implicit Associations on the Intention-Behavior Gap.

Recent physical activity research is limited by intention-behavior discordance and is beginning to recognize the importance of automatic processes in exercise. The purpose of the current study was to examine the role of multidimensional exercise self-efficacy (SE), explicit-implicit evaluative discrepancies (EIEDs) for health, and appearance on the intention-behavior gap in exercise. A total of 141 middle-aged inactive participants (mean age = 46.12 [8.17]y) completed measures of intentions, SE, and explicit and implicit evaluations of exercise outcomes. The participants were classified as inclined actors (n = 107) if they successfully started the exercise program and inclined abstainers (n = 35) if they were not successful. The inclined actors and abstainers did not differ on intentions to exercise; however, the inclined actors had higher coping SE and lower EIEDs for health. In addition, the coping SE (Exp [β] = 1.03) and EIEDs for health (Exp [β] = -0.405) were significant predictors of being an inclined actor. The interaction between explicit and implicit processes in regard to health motives for exercise appears to influence the successful enactment of exercise from positive intentions. As most physical activity promotion strategies focus on health as a reason to be active, the role of implicit and explicit evaluations on behavioral decisions to exercise may inform future interventions.

The green gap of high-involvement purchasing decisions: an exploratory study

The environmentally friendly or ‘sustainable’ products have been launched in various markets in response to the growing concerns for the environmental deterioration and the alarming effects of climate change in past years. However, the uptake of green products does not seem to fully reflect the self-claimed pro-environmental concerns and attitudes. Consumers who profess to be environmentally conscious and believe they could help slow down environmental deterioration do not necessarily purchase eco-friendly products. This discrepancy between behaviour and attitude has been termed as ‘intention-behaviour gap’ or ‘green gap’. This study aims at exploring the green gap in the purchases of high-involvement products such as skincare products. Focus groups and thematic analysis were conducted. It was found that environmental concern was virtually non-existent in making purchase decisions with regard to skincare products because the perceived product effectiveness is found to be the key determinant of the choice of skincare products. Other factors such as weak social norm, weak perceived consumer effectiveness, and a sense of powerlessness facing the environment degradation, to some degree, attribute to the consumers’ justification of their non-green consumption practices. Implications for closing the gap have been drawn for marketing practitioners and policy makers. Directions for future research are also provided.

Beyond TTM and ABC: A Practice Perspective on Physical Activity Promotion for Adolescent Females from Disadvantaged Backgrounds

This paper builds on a growing body of literature on the promise of practice theory in understanding and promoting behavior change in society and develops upon Blue (2017) and Spotswood et al.’s (2019) rationale for evolving theories of practice into the domain of contemporary physical activity research. We begin by considering the intersectional nature of the problem. Statistics reveal that physical activity gradients exist based on gender, as well as socio-economic position. Women, girls, and disadvantaged populations report lower levels of activity than more affluent males and females. More problematic still is what StreetGames (2017) call the “double jeopardy”, where these characteristics intersect, intensifying the negative gradient. Our argument then comprises three parts. First, we provide a critical discussion of intervention studies seeking to transform exercise behavior amongst these populations. The issue we identify is that studies typically rely on behavior change models, such as the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) and the ABC framework. However, these models tend to take insufficient account of the practical and social aspects of behavior change in physical activity, and thus their subjects often succumb to value-action gaps (Shove, 2010). Second, in contrast, we propose that practice theory provides a promising alternative theoretical lens for promoting behavior change in disadvantaged and often resistant populations. Third, the paper highlights a range of conceptual considerations for exploring the relationship between young, disadvantaged women and physical activity, as well as the development of tangible solutions to improve participation.

Exploring Influential Factors Including COVID-19 on Green Food Purchase Intentions and the Intention-Behaviour Gap: A Qualitative Study among Consumers in a Chinese Context.

This study applied a qualitative approach to investigate the underlying influences on consumers’ green food consumption from the intention generation phase to intention execution phase in the perspectives of purchase intention and the intention–behaviour gap (IBG). Additionally, the impact of the “Coronavirus Disease 2019” (COVID-19) pandemic on consumers’ green food purchases was explored. Research data were derived from semi-structured in-depth interviews with 28 consumers and analyzed using grounded theory. The findings identified factors that influenced intentions and the IBG in the process of consumers’ green food purchases. Specifically, these findings reported that health consciousness, perceived attributes, environmental consciousness, social influence, family structure, and enjoyable shopping experiences were identified as major drivers for generating consumers’ green food purchase intentions. High prices of green food, unavailability issues, mistrust issues, and limited knowledge were factors triggering the gap between green food purchase intentions and behaviours. In addition, the results revealed that the COVID-19 crisis increased consumers’ green food purchase intentions, whereas the IBG widens as a result of issues of unavailability, price, and panic. These findings will help stakeholders build future policy and suitable strategies to better promote green food consumption in the Chinese context.

The impact of travel constraints on travel decision-making: A comparative approach of travel frequencies and intended travel participation

Abstract: Understanding the mechanism of vacation decision-making and the factors that influence pleasure travel behavior is crucial for tourism management and marketing. Past studies analyze the influence of constraints on travel behavior but neglect other relevant factors that influence travel behavior. This study develops a comparative research framework to estimate the individual impact of travel constraints on travel frequencies (short and long trips) and travel intentions while controlling for sociodemographic and travel-related determinants of travel behavior. Three research models are tested using a representative survey on German residents’ travel behavior (n = 7798). The results show that some determinants of vacation decision-making differ between long and short trips, implying a dual system of travel decision-making. Differences are also found for the impact of travel constraints on actual and intentional behavior (intention-behavior gap). A secondary finding is the strong positive impact of travel motivation and experience for travel frequencies and travel intention.

Intention to Behavior: Using the Integrative Model of Behavioral Prediction to Understand Actual Control of PrEP Uptake Among Gay Men.

PrEP is an effective daily prevention medicine used to reduce risks of HIV infections. Previous research has pointed out the intention-behavior gap on PrEP uptake among gay men. The current study built on research examining how the integrative model of behavioral prediction (IMBP) factors influences PrEP uptake among gay men to explore how actual control variables, namely skills and environmental constraints, moderated the intention-behavior relationship. We used results from formative interviews to construct a survey and collected data from 420 gay men. Results showed several factors that were associated with PrEP uptake among gay men. Specifically, the lack of access to an LGBTQ-friendly healthcare provider(s) and lack of English fluency had significant main effects on PrEP uptake behavior, while lack of access to a healthcare provider and lack of healthcare system knowledge were significant moderators of the intention-behavior relationship. This study advances our understanding of the IMBP and offers practical implications for PrEP promotion. Limitations and suggestions for future studies are discussed.

Assessing the determinants of intentions and behaviors of organizations towards a circular economy for plastics

The production and consumption of plastics, although inevitable in our modern life, are predominantly unsustainable and inefficient. Hence, the concept of a circular economy for plastics has been proposed as a sustainable approach to thrive both economy and our modern life. To implement a circular economy for plastics, an understanding of both individuals’ and organizations’ behaviors is needed since psychological effects often undermine technical solutions. We particularly focus on organizations’ behaviors since commercial plastic waste has not been thoroughly investigated compared to household plastic waste. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), we assess the determinants of intentions and behaviors of 637 organizations in Belgium towards a circular economy for plastics. Our PLS-SEM analysis support that attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control of decision makers positively influence organizations’ intentions to implement best practices of plastic recycling. Furthermore, organizations’ intentions, perceived behavioral control, pressures, and enablers positively, whereas barriers negatively, influence organizations’ behaviors. Our study shows that most organizations have positive intentions, yet they seem to be failing in implementing best practices of plastic recycling due to some critical barriers. To overcome this intention-behavior gap and to attain a circular economy for plastics, our study suggests some measures.

Unpacking the intention-behavior gap in privacy decision making for the internet of things (IoT) using aspect listing

Previous studies have observed an intention-behavior gap that has been labeled the “privacy paradox”: people disclose personal information (behavior) despite expressing negative sharing intentions (in surveys). However, this phenomenon has not been studied in the Internet of Things (IoT) in which users’ personal information sharing is crucial for the functionality of the technology. We explore this phenomenon by comparing participants’ intentions (via a survey) with their actual behavior (via a privacy-setting interface) and controlling the data sharing device and storage. Furthermore, we explore the decision processes underlying these privacy decisions by measuring and manipulating these processes using an aspect listing task. We find a reversed intention-behavior gap in IoT: participants disclosed less (rather than more) information in the behavior condition than in the intention condition, an effect that was associated with fewer benefits than risk aspects listed in the behavior condition. The number and type of aspects listed fully mediated the effect of decision type (intention versus behavior) on the decision, which suggests that a risk-benefit calculation guided the privacy decision-making. Moreover, this reversed intention-behavior gap vanishes if we specifically ask participants to think about positive and negative aspects of the decision, as this allows them to consider both risks and benefits, irrespective of decision type.

Elicitation of preferences in the second half of the shared decision making process needs attention; a qualitative study

BackgroundIt is known that the use of a Patient Decision Aid (PtDA), combined with advice for professionals on how and when to use it, can enhance the involvement of patients in the treatment decision. However, we need more knowledge with respect to the intention-behaviour gap. This study aims to analyse patients’ experiences with the Shared Decision Making (SDM) process to find clues to close this gap.MethodsThis qualitative study was part of a pilot study aiming to implement SDM in early adopter breast cancer teams. Patients were given access to a personalised PtDA. Breast cancer teams were instructed on how and when to deliver the PtDA. We interviewed 20 patients about their experience with the PtDA and SDM in general.ResultsMost patients experienced SDM, though to a certain extent. Choice talk and option talk were commonly experienced, however the elicitation of preferences and decision talk was rare. The PtDA was used by the majority of patients (N = 13), all indicating that it was useful, especially to recall all the information given. Patients appreciated the contribution of breast cancer nurses in the SDM process. They considered them as true case managers, easy to approach and supportive.ConclusionAlthough patients felt well-informed and satisfied about risk-communication, the elicitation of preferences appeared very limited to non-existent. We recommend that breast cancer teams divide tasks in the SDM process and reallocate the elicitation of preferences to the nurses in a well-defined clinical pathway.

Tourists’ willingness to pay for Blue Flag's new ecolabel for sustainable boating: the case of whale-watching in Iceland

ABSTRACT Despite its positive image boat-based marine wildlife tourism, including whale-watching, endangers animals’ habitats and populations. This highlights the importance of transitioning towards more sustainable forms of boating. This could be achieved through certification with ecolabels that establish clear guidelines for operators, and ensure compliance, while informing tourists of these higher standards. Ecolabelled operators should be able to gain a competitive edge by offering a more sustainable product. The aim of this paper is to analyse tourists’ willingness to pay for a new ecolabel for sustainable boating in the case of whale-watching in Iceland using the Contingent Valuation Method. Results of a survey of 337 whale-watchers show that 60% were very likely to choose an ecolabelled tour, and that 65.9% were likely or very likely to be willing to pay ∼20% more for an ecolabelled tour. Considering the intention-behaviour gap, the low importance of environmental issues for choosing the operator, and other biases, it is probable that the ecolabel would only influence preferences in a limited market niche. We suggest that the new ecolabel has a high potential for promoting sustainability in boating tourism if it develops into a full-blown CSR approach that covers a content broader than just environmental issues.

Exploring temporal self-regulation theory to predict sugar-sweetened beverage consumption

Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption is a high-risk dietary behaviour and represents a pressing public health concern.Objective: The present research aimed to utilize temporal self-regulation theory to explore the intention-behaviour gap in SSB consumption in adults.Design: A prospective correlational design (two data collection points) was used.Main outcome measures: A convenience sample of 387 Australian adults completed online questionnaires measuring intention, habit strength, environmental cues, past behaviour and self-control. One week later, 292 participants (76% female), aged 17 to 72 years (M = 24.72, SD = 7.98) completed a self-report measure of SSB intake over the previous week (attrition 23.8%).Results: Hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed partial support for temporal self-regulation theory, with the model predicting 32.9% of the variance in consumption, and a large effect size (f2 = 0.53). Intention accounted for 17.9% (ΔR2 = .19, p < .001) variance in behaviour. Habit and environmental cues together accounted for an additional 13.8% (ΔR2 = .32, p < .001). Self-control did not predict consumption, and no interaction effects were found on the intention-behaviour relationship.Conclusion: Reflective and automatic processes were both important predictors of consumption. Intention, habit, and environmental cues may be suitable intervention targets to reduce consumption.

The intentions to get vaccinated against influenza and actual vaccine uptake among diabetic patients in Ningbo, China: identifying motivators and barriers

ABSTRACT Background: Health authorities recommend influenza vaccination to diabetic patients. Nevertheless, the vaccination coverage of adults was low in China. This study aimed to estimate influenza vaccination intentions and actual uptake among diabetic patients in China and identify the motivators and barriers associated with vaccination. Methods: During Nov 2016–Jan 2017, 1960 diabetic patients were invited to participate in the investigation about influenza vaccination based on health belief model (HBM). To link vaccination intention to behavior, a follow-up survey was conducted to collect vaccination records of the 2016–2017 season. Predictors of the motivation to obtain influenza vaccination were assessed using logistic regressions. Results: 1914 diabetic patients completed the survey. 46.13% participants reported intentions to be vaccinated against influenza and 7.84% actually received vaccination. In the multivariate models, while all the domains of HBM constructs were associated with intentions, age, increasing numbers of comorbidity, urban residents, perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, free vaccination, and vaccination history displayed positive associations with vaccine uptake while increasing income and perceptions of barriers were negative predictors of vaccine uptake. Besides, interactions between perceived susceptibility and healthcare workers’ (HCW’s) recommendation, perceived severity and benefits, perceived severity and health-seeking behaviors, perceived benefits, and influence of family/friends had a significant positive effect modification on the vaccine uptake. Conclusion: To improve diabetic patients’ influenza vaccination and close the intention-behavior gap, multipronged strategies are required not only to increase vaccination intention by promoting HCW’s recommendation to improve perceptions about influenza vaccination but also facilitate a follow through on initial intentions by implementing free influenza vaccination program funded by the government.