How Minimalism Drives Green Purchase Intention in Collectivist Cultures

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Thank you very much for submitting your manuscript “Environmental concern and minimalism in collectivist culture impact on green purchase intention: the mediating role of pro-environmental behaviors (public and private)” to Sustainability. I feel that you have submitted an overall exceptionally well-developed paper. Nevertheless, I have a significant concern both in the conceptual development of the argument as well as in the empirical work.

(1) You raise an important issue in distinguishing private and public behavior. This is particularly important as Western literature does not emphasize this distinction. Nevertheless, I feel that you leave this crucial conceptualization underdeveloped when only referencing Mi et al.. I feel that a thorough review of the public and private self in Confucian philosophy would be necessary to build a solid contribution in this field.

(2) Typically, behavioral intentions precede behaviors. It thus might seem counter-intuitive to claim pro-environmental behavior as determinant of green purchase intention. Moreover, the PEB items (try hard, being committed) together with their self-report character seems to reflect intentions rather than behaviors. Most importantly, wouldn’t green purchases be private pro-environmental behaviors? I thus wonder about the conceptual and empirical discriminance of the two constructs. I would suggest that you clarify this issue in detail. Fornell Larcker criterion and a complete EFA that allows readers to understand cross-loadings would be a start. My concern is supported by the observation that the PEB -- Green Purchase Intention HTMT (Table 4) is by far the highest in the entire model

I wish you good luck in the further development with this interesting work and in engaging with these two aspects.

Author Response

Comments 1: You raise an important issue in distinguishing private and public behavior. This is particularly important as Western literature does not emphasize this distinction. Nevertheless, I feel that you leave this crucial conceptualization underdeveloped when only referencing Mi et al.. I feel that a thorough review of the public and private self in Confucian philosophy would be necessary to build a solid contribution in this field.

Response 1: Thank you for your valuable advice. We appreciate your feedback and agree with your suggestions. Accordingly, we will add to THEORETICAL BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESES as per your recommendations: Moreover, Confucian philosophy is fundamentally based on the stress on harmony between people and the surroundings. This point of view aligns with the studies carried out by Zhang et al. (2020), which show that Confucian culture helps people to develop their environmental identity and pro-environmental attitudes, therefore generating increased pro-environmental behaviours (PEBs). The research indicates that environmental identity mediates the relationship between cultural values and actual behaviours, underscoring the notion that cultural frameworks influence environmental activities. The research reveals a U-shaped moderating influence of Confucian culture, indicating that as individuals' environmental identities and views intensify, their pro-environmental behaviours (PEBs) also dramatically increase. Moreover, including Confucian values into educational settings has shown promise in encouraging pro-environmental practices. Li et al. (2023) for instance discuss a course of teaching combining Confucian ecological ethics to raise students' awareness of ecologically friendly attitudes and behaviours. The results of this study show that emphasising Confucian values can help to properly support sustainable development education, hence producing a generation more sensitive to environmental concerns. (yellow highlight in page 6).

Comments 2: Typically, behavioral intentions precede behaviors. It thus might seem counter-intuitive to claim pro-environmental behavior as determinant of green purchase intention. Moreover, the PEB items (try hard, being committed) together with their self-report character seems to reflect intentions rather than behaviors.

Response 2: Thank you for your comment. Allow me to provide an explanation: Base on the research of Rahimah et al. (2018), individuals with pro‐environmental behavior will take proactive environmental actions, such as adopting a lifestyle of “voluntary simplicity” and participating in pro‐environmental activities (Yurievet al., 2018). Accordingly, human behavior, in this context, is regulated, and environmental damage is likely to be controlled (Kim & Moon, 2012). Seeking to take part and involve in social actions to minimize their own negative impact and that of public conduct on the natural world (Schmitt et al., 2018), these individuals will support product consumption in ways that minimizes resource utilization, reduces waste, and saves materials and energy to harm our planet less. They will, as a result, willingly purchase and consume green‐positioned products, such as eco‐friendly tissue paper, biodegradable detergents, and energy‐saving light bulbs (Barbarossa & Pelsmacker, 2016), and eventually, the environment could be preserved.

Comments 3: Most importantly, wouldn’t green purchases be private pro-environmental behaviors? I thus wonder about the conceptual and empirical discriminance of the two constructs. I would suggest that you clarify this issue in detail. Fornell Larcker criterion and a complete EFA that allows readers to understand cross-loadings would be a start. My concern is supported by the observation that the PEB -- Green Purchase Intention HTMT (Table 4) is by far the highest in the entire model.

Response 3: Thank you for your insightful advice. We sincerely appreciate your comments and concur with your suggestions. We will add to the RESULTS in accordance with your guidance (yellow highlight in page 14) and allow me to provide an explanation: Hair et al. (2010) maintained that EFA should be conducted independently for every set of variables even in a model including both independent and dependent variables. Because the relationship between independent and dependent variables can create mixing of these variables during the EFA process, a combined EFA for both independent and dependent variables is not possible.  As you advised, instead I evaluated discriminant validity using the Fornell-Larcker criterion and the Heterotrait-Monotrait Ratio (HTMT). According to the validation results, every statistic satisfied the necessary thresholds.  Notably, the Heterotrait-Monotrait Ratio (HTMT) result between pro-environmental behavior (PEB) and green purchase intention is the highest at 0.803. But a breach of discriminant validity is indicated, according to Henseler et al. (2015), if the HTMT index for a pair of constructs is more than 0.9. The opposite is also true: a low HTMT score (less than 0.85) indicates strong discriminant validity. For the purpose of guaranteeing discriminant validity, a range of 0.85 to 0.9 is thus deemed suitable. Additionally, the current investigation shows that all of the construct average correlation coefficients are below the 0.9 cutoff. According to this finding, the constructs used in this study provide sufficient evidence of their discriminant validity.

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

 I will list some recommendations and suggestions for the authors:

-     Abstract – the aim, novelty, used methods should be highlighted.

-      Methodology - the research scheme should be added.

- Results - the chapter should be finished by a generalised paragraph. Explanations should be added after the Table 7.

-       Conclusions - results should be compared with other studies

-   The list of analysed literature was impressing. It will be useful to sum up analysed literature in one table.

 To conclude, in my opinion, the article is suitable for publication, if the author/s will succeed in fulfilling the delineated recommendations for improvement.

Author Response

Comments 1: Abstract – the aim, novelty, used methods should be highlighted.

Response 1: Thank you for your valuable advice. We appreciate your feedback and agree with your suggestions. Accordingly, we will re-write abstract as per your recommendations: This study investigates the mediating role of pro-environmental behaviours (PEBs) in the relationship between minimalism, collectivist culture, environmental concern, and green purchase intention (GPI) in emerging economies. This study aims to fill a gap in our understanding of how lifestyle choices, cultural values, and environmental consciousness influence sustainable consumption in collectivist settings. The study presents a new viewpoint on minimalism as an antecedent of pro-environmental behaviours, addressing deficiencies in the current literature regarding sustainability and consumer behaviour. The study utilises data from 385 participants across emerging economies and employs Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) to examine the links among components. Moreover, stringent validation methods, such as the Heterotrait-Monotrait Ratio (HTMT), guarantee the trustworthiness and validity of the results. The findings indicate that minimalism, collectivist culture, and environmental concern favourably affect pro-environmental behaviours (PEBs), which considerably mediate their influence on green purchase intention (GPI). Private PEBs exert a more significant impact on GPI than public PEBs, underscoring the significance of individual-level sustainable behaviours. These findings enhance the theoretical discussion on sustainability in emerging economies and provide practical insights for fostering sustainable consumer behaviours through culturally adapted techniques. (green highlight in page 1)

Comments 2: Results - the chapter should be finished by a generalised paragraph. Explanations should be added after the Table 7.

Response 2: Thank you for your insightful advice. We sincerely appreciate your comments and concur with your suggestions. We will add to the RESULTS in accordance with your guidance: The results strongly validate the study’s hypotheses, demonstrating that pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs) serve as a key mediating variable between the identified antecedents—minimalism, collectivist culture, environmental concern and green purchase intention (GPI). This mediation underscores the interconnectedness of individual attitudes and broader societal values in influencing sustainable consumer behaviors. Among the many aspects of PEBs investigated, private pro-environmental behaviours show especially importance. This implies that converting minimalism and collectivist culture into green purchasing intention depends much on private PEBs, including waste reduction, resource conservation, and environmentally conscientious buying behaviour. The predominance of private PEBs emphasises the need of raising knowledge and involvement at the personal level to properly encourage environmentally friendly buying choices. (green highlight in page 16-17)

Comments 3: Conclusions - results should be compared with other studies 

Response 3: Thank you for your insightful advice. We sincerely appreciate your comments and concur with your suggestions. We will add to the CONCLUSIONS in accordance with your guidance: In summary, this research experimentally investigates the influence of minimalism on fostering pro-environmental behaviours within a collectivist culture context, specifically in Vietnam, an emerging economy, so extending previous research. Pangarkar et al. (2021) offers a conceptual framework for minimalistic consumption patterns, while the present research elaborates on practical implementations within a particular cultural context. Kang et al. (2021) underscores the extensive impact of minimalism on well-being, focussing on individual behaviour devoid of cultural uniqueness, whereas the present study situates minimalism within collectivist cultures, emphasising its ramifications for green purchase intention. Moreover, Mi et al. (2020) and Sreen et al. (2018) investigate the correlation between cultural values and pro-environmental behaviours (PEBs) or green purchasing intention (GPI) in China and India, respectively. This research expands knowledge by including minimalism as a crucial element in a comparable setting, en-hancing insights into the alignment of lifestyle choices with cultural and environmental values to promote sustainable consumerism. Furthermore, the present study, with Barbarossa and De Pelsmacker (2014), highlights the intricate incentives influencing pro-environmental consumer behaviour, emphasising minimalism and cultural elements in contrast to identification and moral requirements. Ju and Kim (2022) use a cross-cultural perspective, examining the impact of environmental concerns and perceived dangers on the adoption of green technology in various countries. This demonstrates that, while cultural and psychological factors are important for sustainable behaviour, their impact varies depending on region and customer characteristics. Overall, these studies demonstrate that minimalism and cultural aspects are important for fostering sustainable practices, with differences depending on locale and customer demographics. (green highlight in page 19)

Comments 4: The list of analysed literature was impressing. It will be useful to sum up analysed literature in one table.

Response 4: Thank you for your insightful advice. We sincerely appreciate your comments and concur with your suggestions. We will add to the Supplementary Materials (green highlight in page 21-22) in accordance with your guidance.

Comments 5: Methodology - the research scheme should be added.

Response 5: Thank you for your insightful advice. We sincerely appreciate your comments and concur with your suggestions. We will add to the METHOD in accordance with your guidance: This research begins by establishing the research background and leads to a literature review, which aims to identify existing knowledge and any research gaps. Following this, we develop research hypotheses and proceed with data collection and analysis to test them. After presenting the results, we engage in a discussion and draw conclusions that explain the findings and their significance. Finally, the research finishes with a review of limitations and suggestions for future research directions. (green highlight in page 8-9)

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The author chose an interesting topic and conducted a decent empirical investigation on the main research issue.  Below are some comments:

1. The title should be more concise and accurate.

2. Overall, the introduction and literature review should be more condensed and integrated in a more logical manner.

3. When interpreting the empirical results, the authors should specifically point out whether the results are consistent with the hypotheses. 

4. Robustness tests should be done and clearly specified. 

5. The format and writing quality should be enhanced substantially. It will be helpful if the authors may find one publication on Sustainability and use it as the example to assure the formats comply with the requirements of Sustainability. 

6. Delete those papers listed in References section but cited in the main body of the paper. 

Author Response

Comments 1: The title should be more concise and accurate.

Response 1: Thank you for your valuable advice. We appreciate your feedback and agree with your suggestions. Accordingly, we will re-write title as per your recommendations: How Minimalism drives Green Purchase Intention in Collectivist Cultures (pink highlight in page 1)

Comments 2: Overall, the introduction and literature review should be more condensed and integrated in a more logical manner.   Response 2: Thank you for your comment. Allow me to provide an explanation: Particularly for readers who might not be aware with the subtleties of minimalism, collectivist culture, and pro-environmental behaviour (PEB), the full background and literature study give them a great framework. This thorough basis guarantees that the research is not limited to individuals already familiar in the topic but rather available to a large academic audience. Furthermore, a comprehensive literature evaluation is essential for identifying the particular research gaps this study aims to solve. Through an exhaustive examination of prevailing theories and discoveries about pro-environmental behaviours, cultural values, and minimalism, the authors illustrate the originality and significance of their research. Abbreviating these portions may undermine the clarity of the study's significance and its contributions to the discipline. The interaction of minimalism, collectivist cultures, and environmental concern is intricate, necessitating a comprehensive elucidation to accurately convey these connections. Every component of the literature evaluation enhances the comprehension of the interactions among these concepts, particularly within the framework of a growing economy such as Vietnam. A summarised version may oversimplify these interactions and diminish the understanding of the study's scope. Maintaining the comprehensive review enables the authors to appropriately situate their research within the wider framework of current studies. This enables readers to comprehend how the study expands upon, diverges from, or addresses deficiencies in prior research.    Comments 3: When interpreting the empirical results, the authors should specifically point out whether the results are consistent with the hypotheses.   Response 3: Thank you for your insightful advice. We sincerely appreciate your comments and concur with your suggestions. We will add to the RESULTS in accordance with your guidance is that the columns show hypothesis testing (pink highlight in page 16)   Comments 4: Robustness tests should be done and clearly specified.   Response 4: Thank you for your comment. Allow me to provide an explanation: The research use a thorough methodological framework, incorporating Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) and validation techniques such as the Fornell-Larcker criteria and the Heterotrait-Monotrait Ratio (HTMT). These approaches guarantee the validity of the constructs and pathways inside the model. These present tests sufficiently show the dependability and generalisability of the results. The authors understand how important robustness testing is to verifying their generalisability and stability of findings. The present study not included robustness tests because of practical constraints like word count restrictions and the need to focus on primary analyses; nonetheless, the authors wish to include them into further studies. This expansion will offer a more complete investigation of the linkages underlined in the present work.   Comments 5: The format and writing quality should be enhanced substantially. It will be helpful if the authors may find one publication on Sustainability and use it as the example to assure the formats comply with the requirements of Sustainability.   Response 5: Thank you for your valuable advice. We appreciate your feedback and agree with your suggestions. We are pleased to inform you that we have already referenced a publication from Sustainability as an example to ensure our formatting aligns with the journal's requirements. Thank you for highlighting this aspect; it reinforces our commitment to maintaining high-quality writing and adherence to formatting standards. Your comment is valued and helps us uphold the publication's expectations.   Comments 6: Delete those papers listed in References section but cited in the main body of the paper.   Response 6: Thank you for your valuable advice. We appreciate your feedback and agree with your suggestions. We have already revised and ensured that the References section includes only those papers that are cited in the main body of the paper. We appreciate your attention to detail, which helps enhance the quality and precision of our manuscript. Thank you for your thoughtful input.      

Reviewer 4 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The focus of the paper is on minimalism which has growing importance in environmental psychology because of its potential to encourage pro-environmental behaviors by aligning individual choices with ecological values. The paper is well-structured and argued. 

However, the introduction covers various factors influencing pro-environmental behaviours but could better emphasize the significance of studying minimalism’s role. I would encourage the authors also to strengthen the rationale for focusing on minimalism and environmental concerns in collectivist cultures and provide a bit more background on the relevance of emerging economy countries specifically. A sentence or two explaining why collectivist cultures and emerging economies, in particular, might influence these behaviours differently than individualist cultures and affluent economies would add clarity and reinforce the significance and application of this study. 

Methodology
The rationale for choosing Vietnam as a case should be better explained as well as including a brief explanation of how the chosen locations align with demographic diversity within Vietnam would strengthen the argument for representativeness.

The section mentions the collection of “385 genuine questionnaires.” It would be beneficial to briefly describe how data quality was ensured and how incomplete or invalid responses were handled, as this would provide insight into the rigour of data collection and processing.

A brief mention of potential limitations, such as the use of convenience sampling and self-reported data, could be useful. While limitations are often expanded in the Discussion section, acknowledging them here sets a transparent foundation.

Discussion and Conclusions Section
The section effectively highlights how this study addresses gaps in understanding pro-environmental behaviours within collectivist, emerging economies, specifically in Vietnam. However, the discussion should have a more direct connection to specific theories or frameworks related to collectivist cultural contexts and consumer behaviour (it should refer to the existing debate in this field by referring to existing literature).

Providing concrete examples of how minimalism aligns with collectivist values would strengthen this section. Additionally, elaborating on the implications of minimalism on consumer identity within a collectivist context could provide further theoretical insight.

The concept of “mastery” and its application to pro-environmental behaviour is intriguing, but it feels underdeveloped. Adding a concise explanation of how “mastery” functions within pro-environmental actions could clarify this novel perspective. This would also allow readers to better appreciate the study’s contribution to the psychological and consumer behaviour literature.

Some minor points:

The abstract would benefit from a short introduction to the methodology used.

Some sections appear repetitive, particularly the definition of private-sphere and public-sphere PEBs. This description is presented twice (lines 27–34 and 97–104) and could be consolidated to avoid redundancy and streamline the introduction.

Check the Journal guidelines for Figures. I think the Image caption should be after the image.

I propose numbering equations used in the paper. 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

The quality of the English language in this manuscript is generally clear and understandable; however, there are areas where language improvements could enhance readability and precision.
There are occasional grammatical errors and awkward phrasing that may cause confusion. For example, sentence structures are sometimes lengthy and could benefit from simplification. Breaking down complex sentences into shorter, more direct statements would improve clarity.
Certain terms, such as “mastery” and “collective culture,” are used in a specialized way without sufficient contextual explanation. Adding brief clarifications could help readers unfamiliar with these terms understand their relevance.

Author Response

Comments 1: The introduction covers various factors influencing pro-environmental behaviours but could better emphasize the significance of studying minimalism’s role. I would encourage the authors also to strengthen the rationale for focusing on minimalism and environmental concerns in collectivist cultures and provide a bit more background on the relevance of emerging economy countries specifically. A sentence or two explaining why collectivist cultures and emerging economies, in particular, might influence these behaviours differently than individualist cultures and affluent economies would add clarity and reinforce the significance and application of this study.

Response 1: Thank you for your valuable advice. We appreciate your feedback and agree with your suggestions. Accordingly, we will add to introduction as per your recommendations: Minimalism’s influence on PEBs may be particularly significant in collectivist cultures, where social values emphasize community, harmony, and shared responsibilities. These cultural attributes can enhance the adoption of behaviors aligned with collective well-being, such as sustainability practices. In collectivist culture, personal decisions are often influenced by communal norms, suggesting that the adoption of minimalistic lifestyles might be more naturally integrated due to the cultural emphasis on shared goals and interdependence. Moreover, emerging economies like Vietnam provide a special prism through which one might examine these dynamics. Many of these nations deal with fast urbanisation and environmental issues that inspire rising consciousness of sustainable living. Unlike individualist cultures where pro-environmental behaviours may be driven by personal achievement or individual preferences, emerging economies might experience these behaviours differently depending on economic constraints, shared resources, and a collective orientation. The cultural focus on communal welfare in these settings could magnify the influence of environmental issues and minimalism, hence producing more common PEBs. (turquosie highlight in page 3)

Comments 2: Methodology
The rationale for choosing Vietnam as a case should be better explained as well as including a brief explanation of how the chosen locations align with demographic diversity within Vietnam would strengthen the argument for representativeness.

The section mentions the collection of “385 genuine questionnaires.” It would be beneficial to briefly describe how data quality was ensured and how incomplete or invalid responses were handled, as this would provide insight into the rigour of data collection and processing.

A brief mention of potential limitations, such as the use of convenience sampling and self-reported data, could be useful. While limitations are often expanded in the Discussion section, acknowledging them here sets a transparent foundation.

Response 2: Thank you for your insightful advice. We sincerely appreciate your comments and concur with your suggestions. We will add to the Methodology in accordance with your guidance: Vietnam was chosen as the case study for this research because of its unique cultural and economic context, which fits the study's focus on minimalism, collectivist culture, and PEBs. As a rising economy, Vietnam faces fast urbanisation, economic development, and significant environmental challenges. These variables render Vietnam an ideal context for examining the impact of minimalism and collective culture on PEBs and green purchase intention (GPI). The nation's robust collectivist culture prioritises community, social connections, and shared obligations, fostering an atmosphere that facilitates the examination of the interplay between cultural norms and minimalist lifestyles in shaping sustainable behaviours. (turquosie highlight in page 10).

A total of 385 authentic questionnaires were obtained by convenience sampling. To assure data quality, the following steps were implemented: pre-testing, completeness screening, and data integrity verification. The survey was initially pre-tested with a pilot group to ensure clarity and relevancy. Subsequently, questionnaires were assessed for completeness, and those with absent or inconsistent responses were omitted from the analysis. Finally, double-entry verifications were performed to guarantee precision during data input, hence reducing the likelihood of entry errors. All 385 surveys were valid and suitable for data analysis. (turquosie highlight in page 10).

This study offers useful insights; nevertheless, limitations related to convenience sampling and self-reported data must be addressed. Utilising convenience sampling restricts the capacity to generalise results to the broader Vietnamese population. Furthermore, the dependence on self-reported data may create biases, such as social desirability, wherein respondents may furnish answers they see as more socially acceptable. (turquosie highlight in page 19).   Comments 3: Discussion and Conclusions Section

The section effectively highlights how this study addresses gaps in understanding pro-environmental behaviours within collectivist, emerging economies, specifically in Vietnam. However, the discussion should have a more direct connection to specific theories or frameworks related to collectivist cultural contexts and consumer behaviour (it should refer to the existing debate in this field by referring to existing literature).

Providing concrete examples of how minimalism aligns with collectivist values would strengthen this section. Additionally, elaborating on the implications of minimalism on consumer identity within a collectivist context could provide further theoretical insight.

The concept of “mastery” and its application to pro-environmental behaviour is intriguing, but it feels underdeveloped. Adding a concise explanation of how “mastery” functions within pro-environmental actions could clarify this novel perspective. This would also allow readers to better appreciate the study’s contribution to the psychological and consumer behaviour literature.

Response 3: Thank you for your insightful advice. We sincerely appreciate your comments and concur with your suggestions. We will add to the Discussion and Conclusions Section in accordance with your guidance: The study's results correspond with Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory (Hofstede, 2001), which posits that collectivist cultures emphasise group objectives over individual aspirations. This cultural orientation fosters behaviours that enhance communal welfare, including sustainable practices. (turquosie highlight in page 17).

The incorporation of minimalism into consumer identity is especially significant in collectivist cultures. In these cultures, group rituals and social contacts often shape identity. Incorporating minimalism into daily life shows a commitment to the shared welfare and helps one to establish their position in the community. This shared identity could motivate people to participate in extra pro-environmental activities, therefore forming a loop whereby social standards and personal values interact to mutually reinforce each other. (turquosie highlight in page 17).

The notion of "mastery," characterised by a feeling of competence and control over one's actions, enhances the comprehension of how individuals participate in sustainable behaviours. In this context, mastery denotes the fulfilment obtained by effectively incorporating minimalistic and environmentally sustainable practices into everyday life. This sensation of mastery augments self-efficacy, which is essential for enduring behavioural change. Mastering minimalistic practices—such as consistently selecting sustainable products or minimising waste—enhances the likelihood that individuals would perceive these activities as fundamental to their identity, hence promoting sustained participation in pro-environmental behaviours (PEBs). (turquosie highlight in page 17).

Comments 4: Some minor points:

The abstract would benefit from a short introduction to the methodology used.

Some sections appear repetitive, particularly the definition of private-sphere and public-sphere PEBs. This description is presented twice (lines 27–34 and 97–104) and could be consolidated to avoid redundancy and streamline the introduction.

Check the Journal guidelines for Figures. I think the Image caption should be after the image.

I propose numbering equations used in the paper. 

Response 4: We have incorporated your suggestions by adding a brief introduction to the methodology in the abstract, ensuring that figure captions are placed correctly according to journal guidelines, and numbering the equations throughout the manuscript. Your careful review has greatly improved the clarity and adherence to formatting standards of our paper. We appreciate your valuable contributions.

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

I think the manuscript could be stronger by more thoroughly  taking on board my initial comments, rather than arguing against them.

Author Response

Comment 1: I think the manuscript could be stronger by more thoroughly  taking on board my initial comments, rather than arguing against them.

Respones 1: Thank you very much for your insightful comment. I sincerely appreciate your feedback. In response, I have conducted exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and applied the Fornell-Larcker criterion. Additionally, I performed Harman's single-factor test to ensure that common method bias was negligible. The results of these analyses have been presented in lines 448–455 and line 512, highlighted in yellow for your review. 

Reviewer 4 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Thank you for integrating my comments and suggestions into your manuscript.

Some additional minor comments:
- in the Abstract not all the abbreviations are necessary (if they are not repeating) and some are repeated several times, e.g. green purchase intention (GPI)

- please add the numbering of equations, e.g. line 376

- add references to the tables and figures in the text. 

- explain abbreviation only once in the text, e.g. line 33 and in other parts of the paper. 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

There are still some lengthy sentences in the paper. 

Author Response

Comments 1: In the Abstract not all the abbreviations are necessary (if they are not repeating) and some are repeated several times, e.g. green purchase intention (GPI).

Response 1: Thank you for your valuable advice. We appreciate your feedback and agree with your suggestions. I have carefully reviewed the paper and removed unnecessary abbreviations, especially those that were not repeated or crucial for clarity. Additionally, I have ensured that instances of repeated abbreviations, such as green purchase intention (GPI), pro-environmental behaviours (PEBs) have been addressed to enhance the readability and coherence of the text.

Comments 2: Please add the numbering of equations, e.g. line 376

Response 2: Thank you for your suggestion. I have added the numbering to all equations, including the one highlighted in green on line 376.

Comments 3: Add references to the tables and figures in the text. 

Response 3: Thank you very much for your valuable feedback. I have added references to all the tables and figures in the text, with the sources and updates highlighted in green for clarity.

Comments 4: Explain abbreviation only once in the text, e.g. line 33 and in other parts of the paper.

Respones 4: Thank you very much for your feedback. I have reviewed the paper and removed unnecessary repeated explanations of abbreviations, ensuring that each abbreviation is explained only once in the text for consistency and clarity.

Comments 5: There are still some lengthy sentences in the paper. 

Respones 5: Thank you very much for your feedback. I have revised the lengthy sentences throughout the paper to improve readability and clarity. For example, I have made the following changes:

• Lines 50–53: Pro-environmental behaviors are influenced by factors like perceived control, effectiveness, and emotions (positive or negative). Other key drivers include environmental attitudes, awareness, self-identity, social norms, and values such as biospheric, egoistic, and altruistic.
• Lines 65–67: Minimalism is a global trend, but its definition may vary across national cultures. It is crucial to explore how simplicity is interpreted differently, especially in collectivist cultures.
• Lines 124–127: In individualist cultures, pro-environmental behaviors are often motivated by personal achievements or preferences. In emerging economies, these behaviors may vary due to economic constraints, shared resources, and a focus on collective goals.
• Lines 31–32: Climate change is seen as one of the world's most pressing issues. This is largely due to the rapid rise in carbon emissions from human activities in recent years.

These updates have been highlighted in green for your review.