Perceptions Of Sustainability Research Articles

A new validated instrument to assess sustainability perception among university students

A new validated instrument to assess sustainability perception among university students

Roles of Personal Values and Information Technology Usage in Forming the University Students’ View of Environmental Sustainability: A Preliminary Regional Study of Economics and Business Students

This study focuses on two significant factors shaping university students’ perception of environmental sustainability. Those are (a) personal values, measured by the Portrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ) and (b) the usage of and proficiency in information technology. Personal values have been widely used to analyze individual perspectives toward various issues, including environmental ones. As contemporary social arrangements include significant influences from social networks and mobile phone usage, overall engagement with technology becomes an essential factor affecting university student attitudes and behaviors. While the individual impact of those factors can be found in the extant literature, we look into their interaction concerning university student pro-environmental attitudes, measured by the Revised NEP (New Ecological Paradigm) Scale, and their environmental self-efficacy. Our sample comes from the population of undergraduate business and economics students from Central and Southeast Europe, specifically Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Montenegro. We discuss our findings in the context of previous studies from the same regions and consider the unique socio-economic factors. The research results address Sustainable Development Goals 4 (quality education), 12 (responsible consumption and production), and 13 (climate action) by analyzing the factors contributing to university student pro-environmental attitudes and their self-efficacy in the context of their information technology usage and proficiency.

Enhancing wineries’ sustainability through territorial certifications: a case study in Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Purpose As sustainability concerns become increasingly influential in shaping wineries’ strategies at the production and processing stages, this study aims to investigate the anticipated benefits, incentives and constraints associated with a territorial sustainability certification in the wine industry. Design/methodology/approach Focusing on wine producers from the Romagna Consortium (Italy), the research explores the influence of firm characteristics on sustainability attitudes and explores the Consortium potential role in facilitating the ecological transition. Data are collected through an online survey and analyzed by means of factor and cluster analysis. Findings Findings reveal the Consortium capacity to expand its scope, incorporating elements of sustainability, resilience and territorial development. In addition, it emerges that the perception of sustainability among local producers extends beyond environmental concerns, encompassing the economic and social domains. Practical implications Acting as a cluster constituent, the Consortium can stimulate collaborative behavior and promote knowledge dissemination contributing to a mature collaborative environment. A territorial sustainability certification is thus viewed as multifunctional tool, enhancing economic performance and collective reputation, while addressing the numerous environmental challenges faced by the sector. Originality/value The study’s originality lies in its direct engagement with a considerable number of producers in a geographic area boasting a mature wine industry but with limited research focusing on coordinated efforts for improved sustainability performance.

A study on the perceptions of Turkish primary school students regarding the environment, climate change, and sustainability

In this study, the impact of the Environmental and Climate Change Education program on the perceptions of 4th-grade students regarding environmental issues, climate change, and sustainability was investigated. The study group consisted of 22 (12 boys, 10 girls) 4th-grade students aged between 9–10 years, who were all studying in the same class at a central primary school in Eskişehir. Conducted throughout the 2022–2023 academic year, the research was carried out in three stages: before the implementation, after the implementation, and 9 months after completing the program. Data were obtained through drawings created by the students and interviews based on these drawings. Initially, the students’ drawings depicted basic concepts such as air, water, trees, and waste. However, after participating in the Climate Change Education program, significant changes were observed in their understanding and perceptions of environmental issues, climate change, and sustainability. The activities of the program significantly increased the students’ awareness and comprehension of these critical issues.

Management Students’ Perceptions of Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability: The University Context of Each Country as an Explanatory Variable

Many scientific articles have been written about management students’ perceptions of corporate social responsibility. Most of these investigations were carried out on small samples, made up of students from a single university. Very few investigations have compared students from different universities and countries. The main objective of this paper is to investigate whether students’ countries operate as an explanatory variable for their perceptions of this concept. Fifty-four previous articles were reviewed, identifying some important conceptual problems and a high amount of methodological diversity. The second objective of this paper is to describe and analyze these problems and methodologies, with the aim of contributing to the development of this field of research. A sample of 1992 undergraduate students in management courses who were studying at 18 universities located in three countries (Colombia, Ecuador and Peru) was selected. A definition of corporate social responsibility was adopted. This concept was operationalized through a set of 18 indicators. An exploratory factor analysis showed that these indicators operationalize the main dimensions of social responsibility. It was found that there are statistically significant differences between the perceptions of the students from the 18 universities, but when comparing universities from the same country, these differences disappear. In addition, it was found that the relationship between perception and country is independent of gender, age, work experience and the degree that students are pursuing. This work contributes to our current knowledge in this field of study, because it shows that the university environment of each country operates as an explanatory variable for students’ perceptions of social responsibility. Also, this work contributes to the design of appropriate methodological strategies for carrying out comparative studies on the perceptions of social responsibility, both locally and internationally.

Understanding Sustainability Perceptions: Insights from Textual Analysis and a Survey Experiment

Understanding Sustainability Perceptions: Insights from Textual Analysis and a Survey Experiment

Analysis of Factors Affecting Customer Loyalty and Acquisition in Sociopreneurship-Based Cleaning Services

The competitive landscape necessitates that startups have competitive strategies to attract consumers and retain customers. Startups need to realize sustainable business practices where companies cannot solely focus on profit but also implement sustainable business concepts that consider social and economic dimensions. Various digital platforms can be utilized by companies to publicize their business activities. One such startup that applies this strategy is Cleansheet, a sociopreneurship in the field of cleaning service based on empowerment. The research was conducted in Bogor from January to March 2024 through interviews and the distribution of questionnaires to 285 respondents. The results of the SEM analysis show that Cleansheet's customer acquisition is significantly influenced by digital marketing, customer loyalty, and sustainability perception. Meanwhile, customer loyalty is significantly influenced by customer satisfaction, sustainability perception, digital marketing, and service quality. Regarding the indirect effect, customer satisfaction significantly acts as a mediating variable in the partial influence of digital marketing and service quality on customer loyalty.

Consumer Perceptions and Attitudes Towards Sustainability: The Role of Influencers in Shaping Eco-conscious Behavior

This study investigates the impact of social media influencers on consumer perceptions and attitudes toward sustainability. As environmental awareness increases, brands are increasingly leveraging influencer marketing to promote sustainable practices. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research utilizes descriptive statistics, reliability testing (Cronbach’s Alpha), exploratory factor analysis (EFA), regression analysis, chi-square tests, and correlation analysis to evaluate how different dimensions of influencer marketing influence consumer behavior regarding sustainability. The exploratory factor analysis identified five key dimensions: Influencer Credibility, Engagement Level, Message Clarity, Perceived Authenticity, and Personal Connection, each significantly contributing to shaping consumer attitudes toward sustainable behaviors. The findings reveal that influencer credibility and engagement are critical drivers, while clarity of messaging and perceived authenticity enhance the effectiveness of sustainability communications. Additionally, fostering personal connections between influencers and their audiences is crucial for motivating sustainable behaviors. This research provides valuable insights for brands aiming to utilize influencer marketing strategies effectively to promote sustainability. As consumer expectations evolve, the findings highlight the necessity for authentic and relatable communications in influencer marketing. Future research should explore the dynamic role of influencers in shaping sustainability perceptions and behaviors in an increasingly eco-conscious consumer landscape.

Tapping Into Awareness: Assessing Nursing Students' Water Consumption Behaviors and Sustainability Perceptions Through a Cross-Sectional Study With Machine Learning Approach.

Investigating water consumption behaviors and perceptions of water sustainability among nursing students is crucial for effective resource management. This study employs machine learning (ML) techniques to analyze these factors in detail. This descriptive cross-sectional study involved 182 senior nursing students from an accredited faculty in Istanbul, Turkey, during the 2023-2024 academic year. Data were collected through an online survey, including an information form, a visual analog scale toward foresight about water scarcity (VAS), and a water consumption behavior scale. Advanced ML techniques were utilized to identify intricate patterns and correlations in the students' behaviors and perceptions. The survey revealed that nursing students primarily rely on packaged water and perceive an imminent threat of water scarcity, though they exhibit limited awareness of their personal water footprint. High VAS scores indicated a strong awareness of global water crises but skepticism about local water scarcity. The ML model identified "Domestic Water Use Efficiency" as the primary factor influencing attitudes toward water sustainability, with "Water Awareness" and "Sustainable Water Ethics" also playing significant roles. The study highlights the need to integrate sustainable water management education into nursing curricula and demonstrates nursing students' awareness and preparedness for sustainable practices.

Differences in perspectives on sustainability attributes of dietary protein sources between reduced animal-based dieters and nondieters

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals envision a sustainable future that includes a shift in food consumption, aiming to reduce anthropogenic environmental impacts. Protein sources are crucial in sustainable diets because of their high environmental influence. Although consumers play a pivotal role in driving the shift towards more sustainable food consumption patterns, research on the perceptions of specific dietary groups regarding protein sources is limited. In this study, the perceived sustainability attributes of eight common protein sources between reduced animal-based dieters (RABs) and nondieters (NDs) were evaluated. Using a cross-sectional survey, we measured demographic data, food consumption frequency, perceived healthiness, and environmental friendliness. We performed conjoint analysis on the importance of the protein sources’ sustainability attributes (nutritional score, ecological score, price, product category). In total, 294 RABs and 247 NDs participated. The majority of the sample consisted of highly educated, childless women aged 18–39 years with high incomes, residing in cities, and responsible for food in their households. The presence of a nutritional score had a positive effect on both consumer groups’ perceptions of product sustainability, whereas the presence of an ecological score negatively affected consumer preferences for more sustainable products. The perceptions of the sustainability of protein sources varied significantly between RABs and NDs. Overall, RABs underestimated the healthiness of animal-based products, whereas NDs underestimated the environmental impact of protein sources. Among the animal-based protein sources, eggs and fish were seen as the most sustainable, with significantly higher means for NDs (p < 0.001). Among the sustainability attributes, plant-based foods and nutritional scores had a significant positive effect on both groups’ choices. For RABs, all animal-based protein sources had a significant negative effect on food choice. These results support the assumption that nutritional scores can improve the nutritional quality of food choices, whereas ecological scores can reduce the environmental impact of food choices. These findings underscore the need for tailored communication strategies and interventions to promote sustainable food choices among diverse dietary groups.

Assessing the Effectiveness of Digital Marketing in Enhancing Tourist Experiences and Satisfaction: A Study of Thailand’s Tourism Services

Inbound digital marketing strategies play a vital role in the tourism industry, significantly influencing visitors’ decision-making processes, enhancing tourist experiences, and ensuring post-consumption satisfaction. This study explores the effectiveness of digital marketing strategies in shaping tourists’ perceptions of service quality and sustainability and their subsequent impact on overall satisfaction and behavioural intentions. This paper developed a conceptual framework and hypotheses through a comprehensive literature review to assess the causal relationships between digital marketing effectiveness, perceived destination service quality, perceived destination sustainability quality, tourist satisfaction, and behavioural intention. The empirical analysis was conducted using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) on data collected from 195 international tourists in Thailand’s coastal regions. The results reveal that while digital marketing effectiveness directly influences tourists’ perceptions of service and sustainability quality, it indirectly influences tourist satisfaction and behavioural intentions through these perceptions. The findings highlight the critical role of aligning digital marketing strategies with service quality and sustainability initiatives. Moreover, the developed construct serves as a valuable tool for assessing and maintaining the destination image, helping tourism providers to improve their offerings and continuously foster long-term customer relationships.

Survey of the endoscopy workforce’s perception of sustainability

ObjectiveThe National Health Service is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, with endoscopy ranking as the third highest contributor of waste in healthcare. We aimed to ascertain the endoscopy...

Not all that glitters is green: empirical evidence from the Eurostoxx600 on stakeholders’ perception of greenwashing

AbstractGreenwashing refers to the deceptive practice where a company exaggerates or misrepresents the sustainability of its actions or projects. Given the ambiguity surrounding the methodologies behind conventional ratings, we enquire their robustness through the implementation of an alternative comprehensive measure entailing both internally disclosed and externally generated data. We address a notorious critique in greenwashing research—that the entire voluntary CSR approach inadvertently facilitates the diffusion of greenwashing. We make a unique contribution to the statistical methodology by breaking down the difference between internal and external perception of sustainability through regression analysis. We claim that only when the presence of CSR Committees is coupled with tangible initiatives boosting sustainability, both external and internal stakeholders are found to positively evaluate the sustainable commitment of a company.

What matters for sustainable psychosocial interventions and who decides? Critical ethnography of a lay counselling program in Nepal

Lay counselling, or the delivery of talk-based therapeutic support by people without a clinical degree, is gaining popularity as a way of addressing global shortages of mental health professionals. In Nepal, lay counselors have made significant contributions to mental health and psychosocial care over the last two decades, particularly in the aftermath of major emergencies. However, research on the longer-term integration and sustainability of lay counselling interventions remains limited. This ethnographic study explored the meaning and importance of sustainability to different stakeholders in a lay counselling program implemented following Nepal’s 2015 earthquake. We conducted participant observation in the everyday lives of five counsellors as well as four focus group discussions and 51 semi-structured interviews with counsellors and other key stakeholders. Our analysis revealed significant discrepancies in perceptions of sustainability; while organizations involved in implementing the program described it as a sustainability success due to continued government financing, counsellors emphasized their own and the government’s failure to sustain high-quality service delivery in practice. Program-level barriers included inadequate budget and remuneration, lack of clinical supervision, and poor integration within existing systems. We also identified wider sociopolitical influences on sustainability, including the social positioning of counsellors, low understanding and acceptability of counselling, and a rapidly changing political landscape. These findings reveal the need for a critical approach to sustainability in global mental health, warning against superficial engagement that prioritizes continuity of government financing over quality of care and workers’ rights. Advocating for an ecological orientation within sustainability research, we also discuss the importance of looking beyond program design factors to consider how local and national sociopolitical dynamics influence frontline service provision.

Investigating UK Consumer Perception of Food Sustainability and Consumer Strategies for Improving the Sustainability of Their Most Recent Meal

ABSTRACTWhile numerous studies have examined consumer perceptions of food sustainability, their views on the United Nations defined dimensions (environmental, social, and economic) remain under‐researched. Furthermore, little research has investigated how consumers believe they could improve the sustainability of their food choices from a real‐life meal context. This study had three research objectives: To determine how consumers perceive sustainable and unsustainable foods (RO1), perceive differences among environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable foods (RO2), and perceive how they could improve the sustainability of their most recent meal (RO3). The study was executed using an online survey in the United Kingdom (n = 1522) with open‐ended questions. Results for RO1 showed consumers had a diverse understanding of sustainable/unsustainable foods. For RO2, most consumers had a similar perception of environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable foods. For RO3, many consumers indicated their most recent meal was already sustainable or were uncertain about to how to improve its sustainability.

US domestic sentiment reactions to climate and economic policy uncertainties: a quantile ARDL approach

ABSTRACT Over the years, climate and economic policy uncertainties have become critical considerations that shape public attitudes. They have the potential to impact people’s perceptions of financial stability, ecosystem integrity, and environmental sustainability. This paper aims to provide evidence on the sensitivity of US business and consumer sentiments to uncertainties arising from climate and economic policies in both short-term and long-term perspectives, and across different sentiment states. Our empirical investigation draws on a quantile ARDL approach, after orthogonalizing original sentiment series with respect to a diverse range of influential factors. The results reveal that climate and economic policy-related uncertainties have a negative impact on business (consumer) sentiment in the short and long run (only in the short run). These effects are particularly more pronounced when pessimistic sentiment begins to take hold. Moreover, we find evidence of locational asymmetry, especially in the long run.

Gendered Brand Cues and Sustainability Perceptions: Exploring the Role of Brand Gender in Consumer Sustainability Judgments

While sustainability is a key consideration for many consumers, discerning a brand’s sustainability is too complex for routine consumption choices, often leading people to rely on irrelevant cues. Perhaps one such cue is the perceived gender of products and brands. Building on existing literature which suggests an association between environmentally conscious behavior and femininity (Brough et al., 2016), the present research explores whether gendered brand cues influences consumers’ perceptions of the brand’s sustainability, and in so doing impacts their purchase intentions and attitudes toward the brand. We conducted a preregistered study with 600 participants to investigate the causal impact of brand gender on sustainability perceptions. Using a 2 x 3 between-subjects design, participants were either primed to report their own green consumption values or not and then randomly assigned to one of three conditions: masculine, feminine, or neutral (control). Each participant was presented with a coffee brand where the brand's gender was manipulated through semantic (e.g., brand name) and visual (e.g., packaging) cues. When primed with a sustainability cue, participants who saw the feminine-branded product viewed it as significantly more sustainable than the neutral (control) condition (p=.007) and marginally more sustainable than the masculine-branded product (p=.070). We also found that across all conditions, sustainability perceptions predicted purchase intentions (p&lt;.001) These findings suggest a potential relationship between the gender of a product’s branding and the extent to which the brand is perceived as sustainable. This research not only provides insights for marketers to strategically position products to align with eco-conscious consumer values but also contributes to the broader literature on how consumers form sustainability judgments about products, highlighting the subtle influence of gendered branding in this process.

This Is Not a ‘Drill’: Young People’s Understandings of and Hopes for Sustainability Education in England

Global surveys show that young people are concerned about sustainability and climate change and how it will affect their future. Education for Sustainability is seen as a key approach that can equip young people with the knowledge, skills, and competencies to act for climate justice. Despite much policy attention on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), this paper argues that current educational approaches inadequately prepare young people to understand and engage with climate change and sustainability issues. Drawing on a unique survey of 1655 young people in England, this study identifies significant knowledge gaps in understandings of sustainability concepts and a strong demand for educational reforms. Quantitative data reveal variations in sustainability understandings across age, gender, and income, while qualitative insights uncover young people’s feelings about the gaps in their education, exposing their fears, anger, powerlessness, and hopes for change. This study highlights the dominance of consumer choice in young people’s perceptions of sustainability, emphasizing the need to shift from individualistic to collective actions. This paper concludes with a call to integrate sustainability education into the English National Curriculum to promote holistic and action-oriented learning and create opportunities for nurturing hope through transformative education.

GREEN LOGISTICS: DEFINING THE FACTORS INFLUENCING EMPLOYEE’S ENGAGEMENT IN SUSTAINABILITY, AND LINKING IT TO THE CORPORATE IDENTITY AND ITS SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

This study investigates the degree of congruence between employees' perceptions of company sustainability and their use of sustainable activities outside of work. A total of 217 participants from logistics enterprises in Istanbul completed a detailed questionnaire that assessed demographics, corporate social responsibility (CSR), pro-environmental behavior (PEB), and organizational identification. The findings show a robust relationship between CSR perception and PEB, confirming the idea that employees who see their employer as socially responsible are more inclined to take pro-environmental measures. Furthermore, organizational identification predicts PEB, demonstrating the importance of employee commitment to the business in generating sustainable habits. The mediation analysis also demonstrates that OI mediates the link between CSR and PEB, emphasizing its significance in influencing workers' sustainable actions. The report emphasizes the need of organizations improving their CSR programs and promoting organizational identification in order to raise sustainability practices both within and outside of the workplace. Limitations include the study's narrow emphasis on a single city and industry, which suggests opportunities for larger geographical and sectoral replication.

Metal Meets Green: A Multifaceted Exploration of Sustainability Perceptions at Heavy Metal Music Festivals

The enduring presence of heavy metal music spanning multiple decades has generated a large global audience of devoted fans. Within Europe, renowned metal music festivals such as Wacken Open Air and Rock am Ring in Germany have solidified the genre&amp;apos;s influence. Although scholarly research has explored metal music festivals and their attendees, there has been a noticeable gap in the examination of sustainability aspects within this domain. Consequently, this work undertakes a quantitative investigation into the social, environmental, and economic impacts within the context of metal music festivals, focusing on four key stakeholder groups: festival organizers, attendees, musicians, and volunteer workers (n = 742). To gain insights, an online survey was conducted to respondents, presenting them with questions pertaining to various aspects of environmental, social, and economic sustainability. These stakeholders were asked to assess these issues based on their individual perspectives. Subsequently, the collected data underwent explorative factor analysis utilizing maximum likelihood estimation, leading to the identification of eight distinct factors: perceptions of social behavior at metal music festivals, environmental responsibility, financial responsibility, environmental and social responsibility, sense of community, environmental and economic impacts, perceptions of volunteer work, and economic impacts. This study&amp;apos;s findings revealed noteworthy disparities across all sectors, offering a comprehensive perspective on current sustainability practices and challenges within metal music festivals. By highlighting inconsistencies, this research underscores the need for festival organizers to critically evaluate their events and consider avenues for improvement in sustainability practices.