Public Willingness Research Articles

Does Policy Uncertainty Boost Vaccine Hesitancy? Political Controversy, the FDA and COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Fall 2020.

Vaccine hesitancy is associated with political and institutional distrust, but there is little research on how people's trust responds to political events. We revisit the fall of 2020 when evaluation of new COVID-19 vaccines collided with an impending national election. Drawing on a political Bayesian perspective, we assess abrupt changes in attention to political events and test hypotheses on subpopulation response: (1) partisan, (2) educational, and (3) ethnic and racial. Analysis of daily changes in news reporting and social media use in 2020, combined with detailed analysis of two-large scale surveys fielded at the time, focusing on questions of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and safety concerns about COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccine hesitancy in the US spiked from late August to early October 2020. We identify several plausible triggers for this spike, all pertaining to the FDA and electoral politics. Heightened vaccine hesitancy occurred among Democrats, Asian and Black citizens, as well as college-educated respondents. Turbulence mainly affected those who were initially most trusting in government and vaccines. Asian-American vaccine confidence recovered; that of Black Americans did not. Electoral politics may destabilize citizen assumptions about vaccine authorization and boost uncertainty, thereby undermining public willingness to take approved vaccines.

Assessment of public knowledge, perception and willingness towards treated hospital wastewater reuse in peri-urban agriculture in Ibadan, Nigeria

Assessment of public knowledge, perception and willingness towards treated hospital wastewater reuse in peri-urban agriculture in Ibadan, Nigeria

The role of information and participation in overcoming users’ initial reluctance: a case study of a decentralized wastewater treatment plant

Decentralized wastewater treatment systems are a potential solution to the water crisis. However, in addition to advanced technology, successful implementation of these systems requires broad public willingness to use them. This paper presents the results of a three-phase psychosocial intervention with the users of a business building where a decentralized wastewater treatment plant was installed. The intervention, motivated by complaints from users due to their lack of knowledge about the existence of the plant, aimed at understanding and improving users’ perceptions of the building’s decentralized system. In the first phase, we conducted a focus group with a sample of workers (n = 6) to understand their knowledge and perception of the building’s decentralized wastewater treatment system. Once the main obstacles and facilitators were identified, we designed a second phase where a group of employees (n = 46) were exposed to environmental priming to improve attitudes toward the decentralized plant installed in the building. Finally, in the third phase, a bidirectional informative session was proposed, conducted by experts, to another group of workers (n = 25). Findings suggest that implementing specific psychosocial strategies, such as promoting environmental awareness and providing informative sessions, along with incorporating potential users throughout the process, contributes to better acceptance of the decentralized wastewater treatment plant. This work presents a real case in a pilot plant that can serve as a guide for addressing psychosocial resistance in similar projects.

Boosting Electric Vehicle Adoption with PCT Policy: Insights from China's Private Transportation

Personal Carbon Trading (PCT) motivates low-carbon consumption and travel by rewarding sustainable behaviors. This study examines the impact of PCT policies on electric vehicle (EV) adoption in China's private transportation sector. Using a Stackelberg game model involving the government, EV manufacturers, and consumers, it finds that PCT policies can boost EV adoption rates by 2.29% to 14.3%. Each addition of 100,000 new EVs could reduce carbon emissions by 30,000 tons. Effective PCT policies require an independent carbon pricing system and should be implemented where infrastructure and public willingness to pay are high. Both allocation methods are conducive to the promotion of EVs: one facilitates the government in setting regional emission reduction plans, while the other ensures that the government does not incur policy-related expenditures, and different allocation methods should be chosen according to the time and circumstances in different periods of EV market development.

Can carbon labels shift consumers towards sustainable food? Evidence from Chinese consumers

Carbon labels are becoming an essential tool for policymakers in many countries to promote low-carbon consumption. To assess customers’ willingness to pay for five carbon-labeled agricultural products (CAP), we used payment card to conduct a questionnaire survey among 641 respondents in Shanghai, Nanjing, Wuhan, and Xi'an, all located in China. This study quantitatively analyzes the influencing factors and interactive mechanisms of the public's willingness to purchase CAP through the extended Theory of Planned Behavior and Norm Activation Model. The results show that consumers' willingness to pay a premium for carbon-labeled milk, corn, bananas, tomatoes, and eggs is 27.50%, 29.73%, 26.86%, 26.51%, and 24.26% respectively. Perceived behavioral control has the strongest positive influence on purchase intention, followed by subjective norms, attitudes toward the behavior, and personal norms. There is a significant mediating effect between awareness of consequences and personal norms, which indirectly influences personal norms through the ascription of responsibility and subsequently affects purchase intention. Additionally, there is a gap between purchase intention and behavior, and risk perception negatively moderates the relationship between the two. Based on the research findings of this paper, practical and effective policy suggestions are proposed for the government to promote carbon labeling policies and reduce carbon emissions.

Correlates of public compliance with COVID-19 regulations in Taiwan

PurposeThis study explores the determinants of public willingness to comply with COVID-19 regulations to address the research gap at the intersection of public health and law enforcement within the unique sociocultural context of Taiwan.Design/methodology/approachUtilizing survey data from New Taipei City in 2021, the analysis involved multiple linear regression models to assess the influences of psychological conditions (i.e. distress and self-efficacy), community compliance and perceptions of government (i.e. general trust in government and specific perceptions of police procedural justice) on compliance tendencies while controlling for individual demographics.FindingsThe results indicated that self-efficacy, perceived community compliance, trust in government, and police procedural justice are positively associated with public compliance with COVID-19 regulations. Among these variables, trust in government and police procedural justice were identified as the most prominent factors, followed by self-efficacy and perceived community compliance. As demographic factors such as age, gender and education did not significantly affect willingness to comply, psychological, social and governmental influences are more powerful determinants of compliance than static demographic characteristics.Originality/valueThis study provides empirical evidence from Taiwan on the factors shaping public compliance during an unprecedented global pandemic. It highlights the importance of fostering governmental trust and enhancing police procedural justice during periods of stability to secure compliance with public health directives in times of crisis.

Analysis of the Effeectiveness of the Integrated Law Enforcement Center (Gakkumdu) in Criminal Enforcement of the 2024 Election in Central Java based on the Principle of Legal Certainty

This study aims to analyze and examine the effectiveness of the Integrated Law Enforcement Center (Gakkumdu) in criminal enforcement of the 2024 Election in Central Java. This type of research is empirical or non-doctrinal law, the nature of analytical descriptive research. Using a qualitative approach with primary data from interviews and observations. Secondary data from books, scientific journal articles and legislative review. The results of the study show that the Central Java Gakkumdu Center has carried out its functions and authorities as a center for criminal law enforcement activities in accordance with the Election Law and Perbawaslu, but it has not been effective and legally certain. Because in handling election crime cases in 35 districts/cities as many as 110 cases, only 5 cases have permanent legal force, 2 cases stopped at the Police investigation, and 103 cases stopped at the discussion of the Gakkumdu Center. The causal factors are not in accordance with the theory of the legal system of law: (1) Legal substance: (a) the time to handle the case of election crimes is short (Speedy trial), (b) the legal subject of the perpetrator of the election crime is not fulfilled, (c) lack of evidence in the investigation of election crimes, and (d) difficulties in finding witnesses in the investigation of election crimes. (2) Legal structure: (a) many institutions in the Gakkumdu Center make coordination difficult, (b) different perceptions between institutions in the Gakkumdu Center make it difficult to determine election crimes, (c) the Gakkumdu Center is a non-institutional coordination forum in election crime enforcement, (d) the election crime enforcement coordinator Bawaslu only forwards reports and not as an election crime investigator. (3) Legal culture: (a) lack of understanding of election crime violations, (b) lack of public awareness of reporting election crimes to the gakkumdu center, (c) lack of public willingness to witness election crime cases, and (d) weak legal awareness of election participants to comply with the election law. The solutions to overcome the ineffectiveness of the Gakkumdu Center in election crime enforcement in the future: (a) the need for a single institution in election crime enforcement, and (b) the strengthening of Bawaslu's authority in election crime enforcement

The Share of Carbon Emissions by the Non-Rich and Support for Higher Environmental Taxes in Cross-National and Longitudinal Perspective

This comparative study covering 41 countries explores whether the distribution of national carbon emissions shapes the public willingness to pay higher environmental taxes and if this relationship is moderated by the quality of government. Using multilevel regression models, it draws on data from all four waves of the International Social Survey Programme’s Environment modules (1993–2020), combined with carbon emissions data from the World Inequality Database. Cross-sectional and longitudinal results suggest that the public willingness to pay additional taxes is lower in contexts where the non-rich are responsible for a larger or increasing share of national carbon emissions, particularly in contexts with low or declining quality of government. It is concluded that the distribution of emissions may impact public support for environmental taxes, but that well-functioning government institutions can mitigate negative public backlash linked to the often-perceived regressive character of these taxes.

Research on the effectiveness and strategies of new media in promoting voluntary blood donation from a public health perspective in the post-pandemic era.

This study explores the effectiveness of new media in enhancing public enthusiasm for voluntary blood donation in the post-pandemic era and proposes effective publicity strategies to promote the sustainability and healthy development of blood donation activities. A questionnaire survey was widely used to collect public opinions and attitudes toward voluntary blood donation. The sample data underwent rigorous reliability and validity analysis to ensure authenticity and reliability. Statistical methods such as correlation analysis and regression analysis were employed to deeply investigate the underlying relationships between factors like new media publicity, emotional value, social recognition, convenience, information reliability, and willingness to donate blood voluntarily. Based on these analyses, a research model was constructed, and relevant hypotheses were verified through empirical methods. The study found that new media publicity may be associated with increasing the willingness of the public to voluntarily donate blood. Survey participants indicated that they were more likely to consider donating blood after exposure to new media publicity. Among these factors, the emotional value and content conveyed by the publicity appeared to be particularly important. Additionally, our research revealed that social recognition, the convenience of blood donation, and the reliability of promotional information seemed to have a direct impact on the public's willingness to donate blood. At the same time, these factors may indirectly promote actual blood donation behavior by enhancing the public's emotional resonance and acceptance of blood donation. This study suggests that new media may play multiple positive roles in promoting voluntary blood donation. Based on these findings, we propose a series of strategic recommendations, including further optimizing publicity content, striving to enhance the public's emotional resonance, improving the reliability of promotional information, and enhancing service convenience. These suggestions aim to potentially raise public awareness and willingness to participate in voluntary blood donation, providing a scientific basis and strong support for the promotion of voluntary blood donation in the post-epidemic era.

Stated preferences for the colours, smells, and sounds of biodiversity

Forest creation and restoration are embedded in global policy. Both result in landscape changes that have far-reaching socioeconomic consequences. However, there is limited evidence on public preferences for the biodiversity these forests contain. Here we used a choice experiment to explore the British public's willingness to pay (WTP) for different forest biodiversity attributes. We began with a multiple-step deliberative participatory process. This revealed that participants conceptualised forest biodiversity through visual, aural and olfactory senses. We subsequently developed and pre-tested sensory attributes based on colours, smells and sounds. Depending on the size of the proposed change, participants (N = 1711) were willing-to-pay for a greater variety of sensory attributes and for an indicator of improved ecological functioning (deadwood for decomposition). WTP for sensory attributes was influenced by participants' having related sensory impairments or visiting forests frequently. Our wider contribution highlights the importance of participatory methods to unearth novel and uncommon attributes that can then be used in stated preference studies. Ensuring that we evaluate stated preferences in a manner that reflects how the public conceives biodiversity is important if we are to improve the alignment between forest creation/restoration and public views, which could thus help bolster public support for the planning and implementation of landscape changes.

Assessing the Impact of Public Perception and Willingness-to-Pay on Reducing Smog in Pakistan: Evidence from Lahore City

Smog pollution is a major global issue affecting Pakistan's major cities, particularly Lahore. The study aims to explore the public perception and willingness to pay (WTP) for smog reduction via the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM). This study uses a structured interview schedule and interval regression model to analyse the public perception and willingness to pay for smog reduction. Findings reveal that only 46% of respondents perceive smog pollution “strongly severe," attributing it primarily to industrial (43%) and vehicular (35%) emissions. Furthermore, after receiving the information, the respondents' WTP increased from 68 PKR to 84 PKR. However, respondents were more willing to pay for self-protection than to support the control and preventive measures. Socioeconomic factors such as education and income significantly influence WTP for smog reduction. This research underscores the need for enhanced public awareness and participation in smog mitigation for sustainable development.

Hukum Islam pada Imple¬mentasi Manajemen Risiko Penyelesaian Pembiayaan Bermasalah Bank Syariah Indonesia (BSI)

Islamic banking continues to develop, particularly in product diversification, offering a wider variety of options that have positively impacted the public's willingness to conduct muamalah activities through Islamic banks. Various financing products provide customers with the convenience of selecting options that suit their needs. The object of this research, as explained by Husein Umar in Setiawan Santana, focuses on problematic financing, a condition where significant deviations occur in repayments, leading to delays or potential losses. Problematic financing represents a situation where loan repayment agreements face the risk of failure and tend to lead to potential losses. This study offers new insights by examining the role of Islamic law in managing problematic financing risk at Bank Syariah Indonesia (BSI). The novelty of the research lies in the further exploration of using Islamic contracts (akad) as the main foundation in regulating and resolving problematic financing. Through this approach, the research provides a fresh perspective on how Islamic banks can more effectively manage financing risks while adhering to Sharia principles. The impact of this research on Islamic banking is quite significant. The application of risk management based on Islamic law is expected to enhance public trust in Islamic banking and strengthen its stability in Indonesia. The use of akad as the legal basis in resolving problematic financing ensures transparency and fairness in line with Sharia principles. This provides protection for both customers and the bank, creating a stronger foundation for the sustainability of Islamic banking in the future.

Free‐roaming horses exceeding appropriate management levels affect multiple vital rates in greater sage‐grouse

AbstractSince the passage of the Wild Free‐Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971, federal agencies have been responsible for managing free‐roaming equids in the United States. Over the last 20 years, management has been hampered by direct opposition from advocacy groups, budget limitations, and a decline in the public's willingness to adopt free‐roaming horses (Equus caballus). As a result, free‐roaming equid numbers have increased to >3 times the targeted goal of 26,785 (horses and burros [E. asinus] combined), the cumulative sum of the appropriate management levels (AML) for all 177 designated herd management areas (HMA) managed by the Bureau of Land Management. This increase is one of the causes of greater sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) population declines, owing to habitat alteration from free‐roaming equids exacerbated by ongoing drought. To evaluate potential demographic mechanisms influencing these declines, we compiled survival data from 4 studies in central Wyoming, USA, including 995 adult female (first‐year breeders or older) sage‐grouse during the breeding season, 1,075 nests, 372 broods, and 136 juveniles (i.e., overwinter survival for fledged young), from 2008–2022. During this period, we also obtained population information for free‐roaming horses from 9 HMAs used by individual grouse in our sample. Population estimates of free‐roaming horses for these HMAs ranged from 59% to 7 times of the maximum appropriate management level (AMLmax). Sage‐grouse monitored outside of HMAs represented control populations and, because we assumed they were not exposed to populations of free‐roaming horses, we set values of AMLmax to zero for all grouse located outside of HMAs. To evaluate whether free‐roaming horses were negatively affecting sage‐grouse, we modeled daily survival of breeding age females, nest, broods, and juveniles. There was strong or moderate evidence that overabundant free‐roaming horses negatively affected nest, brood, and juvenile survival. When horse abundance increased from AMLmax to 3 times AMLmax, survival was reduced 8.1%, 18.3%, 18.2%, and 18.2% for nests, early broods (≤20 days after hatch), late broods (>20 days to 35 days after hatch), and juveniles, respectively. These results indicate increasing free‐roaming horse numbers affected vital rates for important life stages of sage‐grouse, and that maintaining free‐roaming horse numbers below AMLmax would reduce negative effects to sage‐grouse populations.

Communicating science addressing contentious environmental issues: utilizing Luhmann's social systems theory

For complex and socially contentious environmental issues, such as climate change and disease prevention, science communication has proven difficult. As many science communication scholars have determined, education is not the only factor impacting the public's willingness to act upon or even accept scientific information. In this study, we propose using Niklas Luhmann's theory of social systems as a framework for research in science and environmental communication. We argue that by focusing on the functions of relevant social systems, the occurrence of communication conflicts may be explained, and new approaches to overcome communication obstacles can be developed. In this study, we provide examples of the theory's utility by looking at pertinent studies regarding relevant systems integral to addressing climate change and sustainability issues, as well as propose new subjects for exploration.

Exploring the willingness and evolutionary process of public participation in community shared energy storage projects: Evidence from four first-tier cities in China

Community shared energy storage projects (CSES) are a key initiative for maintaining grid stability in the process of advancing the low-carbon transition of energy systems. Understanding the public's willingness to participate is fundamental to CSES implementation and promotion. However, limited research has focused on this topic. This study investigated the public's willingness to participate in CSES, based on an extended technology acceptance model, and used social network modeling to explore the evolutionary process of public participation in CSES under different policy combination scenarios. Empirical data were obtained from online questionnaire surveys in four first-tier cities in China (N = 1276). The results show that (1) the majority (approximately 71.48%) of residents have a higher willingness to participate in CSES, but their willingness to invest in it is lower (22.32 yuan/month). Residents with lower willingness mainly believed that they should not pay extra maintenance and management fees for energy storage equipment, followed by concerns about the safety of this equipment. (2) Economic benefits, functional value, risk affordability, peer influence, and personal altruism are the determining factors that affect public participation in CSES. (3) Social interaction is beneficial for information transmission, thereby reducing the cognitive differences among the public regarding CSES. (4) The “economic incentive and mandatory” policy combination has significantly increased the proportion of public participation in CSES, but there is psychological resistance from the public toward policy implementation in the early stages. The “economic incentive and publicity” policy combination can promote public participation in CSES slightly. The combination of economic incentives, mandatory policies, and publicity policies has a synergistic effect. These findings provide new insights for application research in energy technology innovation.

Exploring the Influence of Thai Government Policy Perceptions on Electric Vehicle Adoption: A Measurement Model and Empirical Analysis

This study explores the influence of Thai government policy perceptions on the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). Transitioning to EVs is vital for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change, aligning with global sustainability goals. This study addresses gaps in understanding how multidimensional perceptions of government policies influence EV adoption intentions in emerging markets, particularly in Thailand. A questionnaire was distributed to 3770 respondents across Thailand between January and March 2024. The survey assessed multiple dimensions of government policy, including commitment and efficiency, welfare, communication, policy effectiveness, and tax benefits. Using statistical techniques such as Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), second-order confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and structural equation modeling (SEM), this study validated the constructs of government support perception and examined their influence on EV adoption intentions. The findings highlight that tangible government policies, particularly those improving EV infrastructure and providing clear regulatory support, alongside effective communication about these policies, significantly influence public willingness to adopt EVs. The results also emphasize the critical role of perceived government commitment and fiscal incentives in shaping consumer decisions. Based on these insights, this study recommends prioritizing the expansion of EV infrastructure, enhancing the visibility of government commitment, and improving direct financial incentives to accelerate EV adoption. These findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge on EV adoption in emerging markets and offer practical implications for policymakers seeking to promote sustainable transportation solutions.

Public Willingness to Mask and Vaccinate in the Future: Results From a 2023 Nationally Representative Survey of US Adults.

The enduring spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses highlights a need for greater focus on long-term public willingness to perform protective behaviors. Although COVID-19 is no longer considered a public health emergency of international concern, it is unknown whether people in the United States plan to continue protective behaviors to protect themselves and others against infection. To inform planning and communications, we used a nationally representative survey of 1,936 US adults to examine attitudes and intentions toward future vaccination and mask-wearing. A majority believed COVID-19 vaccines were safe (73%) and effective in protecting against serious illness (72%). One-third (33%) had strong intentions to get an updated COVID-19 vaccine most years in the future. Among those with weaker intentions (n=1,287), many cited concerns about safety (71%) and efficacy (64%), lack of trust in institutions (64%), or beliefs that prior vaccination or infection protected them (62%). Approximately two-thirds (69%) of respondents believed masks were effective in protecting the wearer from getting COVID-19, and a majority appeared moderately receptive to future public mask-wearing, particularly when there was proximate risk of infection from COVID-19 (67%) or other respiratory viruses (59%). Men, non-Hispanic White adults, younger adults, rural residents, and adults with higher incomes, without college degrees, and without serious medical conditions or physical limitations were more likely to indicate resistance toward future COVID-19 vaccination and/or mask-wearing. Findings support tailored messaging to address concerns and opportunities among different populations, as well as support for communications programs and community engagement to motivate future uptake.

Public Willingness to Pay for Farmland Eco-Compensation and Allocation to Farmers: An Empirical Study from Northeast China

Farmland eco-compensation, as a typical payment for ecosystem services scheme, aims to address trade-offs between environmental and developmental objectives. As indispensable eco-compensation supporters, the public’s willingness to pay (WTP) for farmland eco-compensation and the allocation to farmers directly affect ecological safety and sustainable development for farmland. Therefore, this study links the public’s WTP for the farmland eco-compensation to the financial subsidies received by farmers and presents a theoretical framework and research approach that connects stakeholders, applying improved choice experiments for empirical study in the black soil region of northeastern China. The results showed that the public has a positive WTP for the farmland eco-compensation program that improves the area, soil thickness, and organic content expeditiously. The public’s WTP allocation for eco-compensation varies considerably, with the share allocated to farmers in their WTP averaging 46.96%, showing a benchmark for compensation standards. The results revealed the influential relationship between the socioeconomic characteristics of the public with WTP allocation and the preferences for farmland eco-compensation, such as the positive correlation between age with WTP allocation and females’ greater preference for eco-compensation. These findings can provide new perspectives and approaches to exploring sustainable pathways for farmland eco-compensation.

Public willingness to pay for an entrance fee at the newly proposed Marine Protected Area in Malacca

Public willingness to pay for an entrance fee at the newly proposed Marine Protected Area in Malacca

Increasing health degree by implementing health checks for residents of Silaberanti Village

The success of health development includes increasing public awareness and willingness to adopt healthy behaviors. In line with this, this community service activity aims to improve people's understanding of their personal health conditions and awareness of the importance of health screening or medical check-ups. Health examinations were conducted in RT 31 and RT 32 of Silaberanti Village. The methods used were cholesterol, uric acid, blood pressure, blood type, and height and weight checks. After the checks, it was found that 98% of participants had normal uric acid levels, 67% had high cholesterol levels, and 41% had high blood pressure above 140/90. The feeling experienced by the community after the health check was an increased awareness of their health conditions, so that if there were any health problems, they could be detected as soon as possible and treated as soon as possible.