Pro-environmental Behavior Research Articles

Current research practices on pro-environmental behavior: A survey of environmental psychologists

The study of pro-environmental behavior is foundational to environmental psychology. However, there is no dominant framework for categorizing behaviors (e.g., diet/travel; public/private; consumer/advocate) nor an umbrella theory for explaining how such behaviors arise. It remains unclear how researchers select which types of pro-environmental behavior to study. There is also debate about whether prioritizing easy-to-measure pro-environmental behaviors may limit the conservation impact of research. Learning how researchers select theories and behaviors to study, and what challenges they perceive in doing so, could help advance these debates. We report a survey of 225 pro-environmental behavior researchers about how they select theories, methods, and behaviors, and their open science practices, using closed questions and open responses with thematic coding. The results show gaps between what researchers recommend and what they practice (e.g., there are too few replications), and we identify the most used theories and what they are used for. The findings also provide insights on the most common types of pro-environmental behaviors and measures. Overall, these results show how researchers currently balance priorities, including the ease of measurement and the perceived importance of impact. We hope these results stimulate discussion and support high-quality research on pro-environmental behaviors.

The relationship between biospheric values and pro-environmental behavior: The role of environmental self-identity and environmental concern.

Today's youth is facing environmental changes. The environmental behavior of adolescents is critical to mitigating the negative impacts of these environmental problems. According to value - basis theory and Value-Belief-Norm theory, the current research examines the link between biospheric values and pro-environmental behavior, together with the mediating and moderating effects of environmental self-identity and environmental concern. We conducted cluster sampling of students in grades four to nine. A total of 1,053 students participated in the survey, and 763 valid data records were finally obtained (the return rate was 72.46%). The findings indicated that: (1) there was a significant positive correlation between adolescents' biospheric values and pro-environmental behavior; (2) there was a significant positive correlation between adolescent biospheric values and environmental self-identity; there was a significant correlation between adolescents' environmental self-identity and pro-environmental behavior. The relationship between biospheric values and adolescents' pro-environmental behavior is mediated by environmental self-identity; (3) adolescents' environmental concern moderates their biospheric values and affects the latter half of pro-environmental behavior through environmental self-identity. Environmental self-identity has a greater predictive impact on pro-environmental behavior when there is a higher level of environmental concern. This paper proposes and verifies the positive relationship between biospheric values and adolescents' pro-environmental behavior, as well as the mediating role of environmental self-identity and the moderating role of adolescents' environmental concern.

Motives for and predictors of teachers’ adoption of pro-environmental behaviours

Teachers frequently happen to be the most influential role models and social change agents in the eyes and minds of young people as well as the whole society in many cultures. Since they are closely involved in promoting the ideas for the goodness of communities and the whole world either as individuals or educators, teachers’ behaviours across all aspects of their life are correspondingly valuable. Therefore, what teachers do in and out of school for the benefit of nature, society or humanity is a crucial phenomenon worth studying. With this study, we aimed to identify the motives for and the predictors of PEBs (pro-environmental behaviours) that teachers follow in their personal, professional, or social spheres and specify whether those behaviours are the characteristics of a particular teacher group or not. Designed as a survey, the research was mainly a correlational study exploring the existing relationships between teachers’ tendency to adopt PEBs and certain socio-demographics along with internal factors. In this inquiry, we surveyed 330 Turkish in-service teachers representing different educational settings across the country through a cross-sectional online questionnaire and performed descriptive statistics and multiple regression analyses with the help of the software STATA. Based on the findings of the study, we presented suggestions for policy and practice in teacher education as well as implications for future research on pro-environmental practices and environmental education.

Employees’ pro-environmental behavior in an organization: a case study in the UAE

This study investigates the factors influencing employees’ pro-environmental behavior (PEB) within organizations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a nation with a strong policy focus on sustainability. Utilizing a questionnaire-based survey of 146 employees in an automotive division of a UAE company and structural equation modeling (SEM), the research examines the impact of green entrepreneurial orientation, green leadership, environmental commitment, and Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) on employees’ willingness to engage in eco-friendly practices at work. The findings reveal that GHRM and green leadership significantly influence employees’ green entrepreneurial orientation, which in turn, alongside environmental commitment, positively impacts PEB. These results emphasize the importance of integrating sustainability into organizational culture, leadership, and human resource practices to foster a workforce that actively participates in environmental initiatives, thereby contributing to the development of sustainable communities and enhancing stakeholder engagement. The study provides valuable insights into the specific factors that drive PEB in the UAE context, where national policies prioritize sustainability, highlighting that the importance of implementing green practices and promoting a supportive environment encourages employees and stakeholders to embrace environmental sustainability. The research also sheds light on the role of green entrepreneurial orientation, suggesting that empowering employees to develop innovative environmental solutions can be a key driver of PEB. The SEM analysis also confirmed the positive impact of GHRM and green leadership on green entrepreneurial orientation. Additionally, green entrepreneurial orientation and environmental commitment were found to significantly influence PEB. These results have practical implications for organizations in the UAE and beyond, emphasizing that by integrating eco-friendly practices and fostering stakeholder engagement, organizations can enhance their environmental performance, strengthen their reputation, and attract environmentally conscious customers and employees, contributing to the development of sustainable communities.

Do “environmental losers” pay the price? The role of individual and country vulnerabilities in the relationship between environmental concern and willingness to pay to protect the environment

Previous research consistently finds a weak relationship between environmental concern and willingness to pay for the environment. Although individuals are concerned for the environment and believe climate change is a serious problem, a major part of concerned individuals fail to act pro-environmentally or to support climate policies. Existing research has not yet provided a complete understanding of the relationship between perception of environmental problem and pro-environmental behaviors. In this study, we add to previous research on the environmental attitude-behavior gap by focusing on economic and climate-related vulnerabilities that might act as barriers in the translation of environmental concern into willingness to pay. Using multilevel analysis on data from the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP), we find that economic constraints and the perception of having experienced an extreme weather event affect people’s willingness to pay to protect the environment. We also find that concerned people are more likely to engage in pro-environmental behaviors in countries where national wealth is higher, whereas living in climate-vulnerable countries mostly affects the willingness to pay of non-concerned individuals.

Predictive analysis of college students’ academic procrastination behavior based on a decision tree model

Predicting academic procrastination among college students in the context of a public crisis could provide essential academic support and decision-making strategies for higher education institutions to promote student psychological health. Notably, research focusing on predicting academic procrastination behavior among college students in the context of a global crisis is still limited. The purpose of this study is to address this gap by constructing a predictive model based on the decision tree algorithm to predict academic procrastination behavior among college students. A total of 776 college students from the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China participated in this study. The study gathered data from multiple aspects relevant to academic procrastination behavior, including demographic information, academic achievements, subjective well-being, smartphone addiction, negative emotions, self-esteem, life autonomy, pro-environmental behavior, academic achievement, and sense of school belonging. Descriptive statistical analysis was conducted utilizing SPSS version 26.0, and decision tree model analysis was performed with Modeler 18.0. The findings of this study identified eight predictive factors of college students’ academic procrastination in order of importance: subjective well-being, smartphone addiction, negative emotions, self-esteem, life autonomy, pro-environmental behavior, academic performance, and sense of school belonging. The model accuracy was 85.78%, and indicating a relatively high level of prediction. The findings of this study not only provided a new perspective for understanding academic procrastination but also offered practical guidance for educators on how to mitigate this behavior.

Pro-Environmental Behaviors in Higher Education: A Contextualized Planned Behavior Perspective

Background:: Institutions of higher learning are critical avenues for addressing issues pertaining to climate stability and environmental sustainability. College students, as future leaders, can play a crucial role in solving the planet’s most pressing problems if they have the right information and a behavioral orientation that promotes positive environmental outcomes Objectives:: The current study evaluates pro-environmental behaviors potentially moderated by knowledge, attitudes, motivations, and contextual factors for college students. It also evaluates what categories of environmentally friendly behaviors students elect to engage in. Methods:: Quantitative data were collected using an online questionnaire survey. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software. Results:: Findings show a weaker influence by most stand-alone factors but a stronger cumulative effect when all the variables are considered together. Data also indicates student’s inclinations to certain environment-friendly behaviors more than others. Conclusion:: Study findings could be used to change university sustainability policies and curricula to enhance environmental consciousness and inspire participation in green initiatives among students. The study contributes to existing literature on sustainability in higher education institutions in the United States.

Environmental Identity and DEIA+ in Aquariums: Framing the Conversation

ABSTRACT What is the connection between environmental identity and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA+) work? The authors explore the intricate connection between these concepts and how aquaria are utilizing environmental identities to motivate pro-environmental behaviors in all museum visitors, including the identities of emerging museum audience. Using both literature and personal stories, the authors underscore how their diverse backgrounds and lived experiences were pivotal in the cultivation of their environmental identities, and how DEIA+ efforts bring more people and educators like them into the aquarium field. By centering diverse voices and stories, museums can create more inclusive experiences that resonate with broader audiences and thus expand their reach to more people with their messages.

Can primary school pupils become researchers? A research project on the accessibility of public spaces

Education for sustainable development plays an important role in the cognitive and social development of pupils. A wealth of studies demonstrate the correlation between environmental education (EE) projects and the future potential development of informed and active citizens with pro-environmental behaviours. All EE project have common characteristics, but usually the pupils involved in them hold the position of little explorers. It would be interesting if students could have the role of the researcher and be actively involved in all stages of a research project. The current study aims to describe a research on the accessibility of public space and to contribute to the discussion if primary school pupils could become researchers. The main conclusion of this paper, after the evaluation of the research project, is that pupils from the upper primary school classes can play an active role in a scientific research project.

Educating Preschoolers to Pro-Environmental Actions: A Metacognition-Based Approach

Metacognition is the process of thinking about one's own thinking, learning, and problem-solving strategies. It involves being aware of one's own cognitive processes and knowing how to regulate and monitor them. Sustainability, instead, refers to the ability to maintain or preserve resources and ecosystems for future generations. Here, we draw from the classical metacognitive approach and propose that metacognition plays an important role in sustainability. The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and MetaAnalyses) Statement was used to perform and recode this review. Given that metacognitive abilities develop early during childhood, metacognition can be viewed as a useful approach to teach pro-environmental behavior from early childhood. Although the interaction between metacognition and sustainability in preschoolers appears to be insufficiently explored, the final aim of this review is to offer a new education-based perspective about metacognition that can be implemented in early childhood to foster pro-environmental actions in the long-term.

Çevre Yanlısı Davranışlarla İlişkili Bilişsel İşlevlerin Nöropsikolojisi

The daily habits and behaviors of modern society people harm the environment more than expected. It is well known that in order to protect the inherent values of the natural assets of the world we live in, and to sustain the mutual interaction of people with the environment in a productive manner, necessary precautions should be taken to establish and maintain pro-environmental behaviors. However, people act in different levels of pro-environmental behavior. Although most of the people state that they have a pro-environmental attitude, they cannot transform their attitudes into actual behaviors in their daily lives for various reasons. Examining the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon, known as the attitude-behavior gap, may contribute to the development of interventions that can help to understand how these behaviors differ among individuals and to eliminate this difference between the observed pro-environmental behaviors. At this point, neuroscience studies can provide a more comprehensive explanation of the reasons for the behavioral differences between these individuals, by comparing the performance of individuals with and without pro-environmental behaviors and those who have adopted and not adopting the environmentalist view, on behavioral tasks, and by simultaneously examining the physiological responses that may be related to sustainable behavior. This article will discuss how neuroscience and neuropsychological approach can provide an explanation for these questions through their unique methods.

Differences in Pro-Environmental Behavior According to the Selection Values of Environment-Friendly Products and the Moral Licensing Levels

Differences in Pro-Environmental Behavior According to the Selection Values of Environment-Friendly Products and the Moral Licensing Levels

Understanding Zillennials Consumer Green Behavior of Reducing Plastic Bag Use through the Theory of Planned and Interpersonal Behavior

Adopting cloth bags over single-use plastic bags is a significant consumer behavior. Employing the theory of of planned and interpersonal behavior, this study aimed to understand the relationship between customers' intentions to use cloth bags and their awareness of the environmental impact of plastic bags. Through purposive sampling, 277 individuals born after 1980 and making at least one to three in-person retail and Internet purchases each month were selected as participants. The data were processed using descriptive and quantitative analysis tools using SEM (Structural Equation Model) analysis. The findings reveal that creating the next generation of habit bags can significantly enhance social awareness of plastic bag usage and the environment. However, no evidence suggests that the EAPB increases the intention to use cloth bags. The more the SP and SBPB intervene, the more the IUCB contributes to changing consumer behavior to use fewer plastic bags. Therefore, Habit Bag Use can positively influence pro-environmental behavior, as this study combined the theory of Interpersonal Behavior and the theory of Planned Behavior. These results contribute to the theoretical framework for understanding how the millennial generation's interpersonal conduct, reflected in their bag-using behaviors, influences their behavior in minimizing plastic bag usage. These findings imply that the adoption of single-use or non-plastic bag habits can motivate people to reduce their usage of plastic bags, a behavior that is further encouraged by laws prohibiting the use of plastic bags.

Effect of Employee Religious and Cultural Values on Sustainable Behaviour of Employee: Mediating Effect of Pro-Environmental Attitude

The study consolidates previous research on sustainable behaviour, focusing on religious and cultural values, and explores their influence and pro-environmental attitudes. Researchers integrated these areas into a comprehensive model, examining how religious and cultural values impact sustainable behaviour moderated by behaviour. Using a deductive approach and convenience random sampling, data was collected through an adapted questionnaire from 364 personnel in various job levels across manufacturing sectors in Karachi, Pakistan. The structural equation model (SEM) results show significance in most paths, except the direct and total relation of cultural values (CV) to sustainable behaviours (SB). CV is identified as a future research gap, while religious values (RV) are seen as a tool for shaping policies that encourage pro-environmental behaviour among employees. The research highlights the importance of values for implementing sustainable practices in organizational operations, discussing corporate and individual sustainable values for future generations.

Greening the Workplace: Harnessing Human Resource Strategies for Employee Pro-environmental Behavior

Greening the Workplace: Harnessing Human Resource Strategies for Employee Pro-environmental Behavior

How to Drive Tourists’ Pro-Environmental Behavior: Interactive Effect of Benefit Appeals and Goal Framing

The drive to foster tourists’ pro-environmental behavior (TPEB) is a current research hotspot amidst the deteriorating ecological environment. However, existing studies have yet to reach definitive conclusions on how tourist destinations influence TPEB through different benefit appeals and goal framing. This paper investigates the interactive effects of these factors on TPEB, reporting on two experiments. Study 1 confirmed significant interactive effects of benefit appeals and goal framing on TPEB, wherein altruistic appeals and gain framing, as well as appeals to self-interest and loss framing, demonstrates matching effects. Furthermore, environmental awareness mediated these interactions. Study 2 established that tourists’ environmental knowledge moderates the interactive effects of goal framing and benefit appeals on TPEB. The moderating effect of high-level environmental knowledge is more pronounced, and tourists with higher environmental knowledge are more inclined to engage in TPEB compared with those with lower levels of environmental knowledge. The conclusions of this study not only enrich the research on influencing factors and mechanisms of TPEB but also offer practical insights for environmental management in tourist destinations.

Gender Disparities in Pro-Environmental Attitudes: Implications for Sustainable Business Practices in Croatia

Objective – This research aimed to investigate potential disparities between genders in Croatia regarding their pro-environmental attitudes and mindsets, focusing on understanding how gender influences individuals' environmental consciousness and support for sustainable practices. This paper presents an empirical study utilizing survey data to examine gender differences in environmental attitudes and behaviors. Methodology – It contributes to the field of environmental sociology by exploring the role of gender in shaping individuals' responses to environmental challenges, with implications for policy development and sustainability initiatives. By employing an online survey via snowball sampling, a total of 263 adult participants from Croatia were recruited for the study. Closed-ended questions on a Likert scale measured respondents' attitudes towards recycling, waste sorting, environmental protection urgency, and health impacts of environmental issues. Findings – The findings in this research indicate that gender plays a role in influencing individuals' environmental attitudes and behaviors, with significant gender-based variations in environmental consciousness. Women exhibit higher levels of concern for environmental issues, stronger support for recycling policies, and a more positive outlook on the health implications of ecological problems. This study provides valuable insights into the connection between gender and environmentalism in Croatia, making significant contributions to existing literature. Moreover, it offers implications for the development of policies targeting environmental management and recognizing the need to influence the environmental behavior of each gender. By focusing on gender disparities in pro-environmental behaviors, the study offers new insights into the connection between gender and environmentalism, emphasizing the need for gender-sensitive approaches to environmental policymaking and intervention. Novelty – The research aims to deepen our understanding of the intersection between gender and environmental attitudes, highlighting the importance of incorporating gender-specific perspectives into efforts to promote sustainable behaviors, address environmental challenges, and foster more environmentally conscious societies in Croatia and beyond. Type of Paper: Empirical JEL Classification: F64, J16, Q54, Q56 Keywords: environmental attitudes, sustainability, eco-awareness, environmental behavior Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Mandarić, D; Hunjet, S.A. (2024). Gender Disparities in Pro-Environmental Attitudes: Implications for Sustainable Business Practices in Croatia, J. Bus. Econ. Review, 9(1), 73–84. https://doi.org/10.35609/jber.2024.9.1(4)

Pro-Environmental Behavior Model among University Students

Pro-Environmental Behavior Model among University Students

Effect of Social Class Cognition and Public Service Satisfaction on Pro-Environmental Behavior in China

Effect of Social Class Cognition and Public Service Satisfaction on Pro-Environmental Behavior in China

Exploring the drivers of pro-environmental behavioral intentions in an emerging nation

PurposeDrawing on the theory of planned behavior and value-belief norms theory, this study aims to explore the causes of pro-environmental behavioral intentions in the context of Sri Lanka.Design/methodology/approachData were garnered from 503 subjects with the aid of self-reported questionnaires. The formulated hypotheses were examined using a variance-based statistical approach (PLS-SEM).FindingsThe findings of the study revealed that personal values, particularly altruistic and biosphere values, significantly strengthen the psychological drivers of pro-environmental behavioral intentions. The study further found that religiosity enhances the association between personal norms and pro-environmental behavioral intentions and the place attachment augments the relationship between attitude and pro-environmental behavioral intentions.Practical implicationsThis study suggests that instilling altruistic and biosphere values in individuals can boost pro-environmental behavioral intentions. Campaigns and educational programs could focus on instilling these values to foster responsibility and empathy. Recognizing the influence of religiosity on pro-environmental behaviors and attitudes, this study suggests collaborative efforts between organizations and religious institutions. Religious leaders can integrate environmental stewardship into teachings, emphasizing ethical responsibilities.Originality/valueThe study pushes back the frontiers of environmental consciousness literature by highlighting the importance of personal values, psychological factors and contextual variables such as religiosity and place attachment in fostering pro-environmental behavior within the specific context of an emerging country – Sri Lanka.