Search Results (189)

Today, ‘social sustainability’ is a key feature of many organisations’ environmental, social, and governance strategies, as well as underpinning sustainable development goals. The term refers to the implementation of targets such as reduced societal inequalities, the promotion of social well-being, and the practice of positive community relations. Building a meaningful, accountable, and quantifiable evidence-base from which to translate these high-level concepts into tangible and achievable goals is, however, challenging. The complexities of measuring social capital—often described as a building block of social sustainability—have been documented. The challenge lies in measuring the person, group, or collective in interaction with the context under investigation, whether that be a climate goal, an institution, or a national policy. Social identity theory is a social psychological approach that articulates the processes through which an individual internalises the values, norms, and behaviours of their contexts. Levels of social identification—a concept capturing the state of internalisation—have been shown to be predictive of outcomes as diverse as communication and cognition, trust and citizenship, leadership and compliance, and health and well-being. Applying this perspective to the articulation and measurement of social sustainability provides an opportunity to build an empirical approach with which to reliably translate this high-level concept into achievable outcomes. Full article

Understanding the social drivers of pro-environmental behavior in urban forests and green spaces is critical for addressing sustainability challenges. Subjective norms serve as a key pathway through which social expectations influence individuals’ behavioral intentions. Despite mixed findings in the literature regarding the impact of subjective norms on individuals’ intentions, there is a research gap about the determinants of this construct. This study was conducted to explore how social expectations shape perceived subjective norms among visitors of urban forests. A theoretical model was developed with subjective norms at its center, incorporating their predictors including social identity, media influence, interpersonal influence, and institutional trust, personal norms as a mediator, and behavioral intention as the outcome variable. Using structural equation modeling, data was collected and analyzed from a sample of visitors of urban forests in Tehran, Iran. The results revealed that subjective norms play a central mediating role in linking external social factors to behavioral intention. Social identity emerged as the strongest predictor of subjective norms, followed by media and interpersonal influence, while institutional trust had no significant effect. Subjective norms significantly influenced both personal norms and intentions, and personal norms also directly predicted intention. The model explained 50.9% of the variance in subjective norms and 39.0% in behavioral intention, highlighting its relatively high explanatory power. These findings underscore the importance of social context and internalized norms in shaping sustainable behavior. Policy and managerial implications suggest that strategies should prioritize community-based identity reinforcement, media engagement, and peer influence over top-down institutional messaging. This study contributes to environmental psychology and the behavior change literature by offering an integrated, empirically validated model. It also provides practical guidance for designing interventions that target both social and moral dimensions of environmental action. Full article

E-waste, a form of solid waste, contains many recyclable metals, but improper disposal can make it very harmful. Therefore, the recycling of e-waste is very important, and the willingness of residents to participate is crucial in e-waste recycling. Taking Jiangsu Province, China as an example, we used the theory of reasoned action (TRA) to construct a research model to investigate the factors influencing residents’ willingness to participate in e-waste recycling. The paper introduces impression management motivation and further reveals the application of the Hawthorne effect in e-waste recycling. The paper also introduces the awareness of benefits, which encompasses personal economic benefits, physical health benefits, and environmental benefits, with physical health benefits being ignored by most of the previous literature. In addition, knowledge and convenience are also introduced in this paper. A total of 400 valid responses were used to test the hypotheses of the structural equation model. It was found that all factors positively influenced residents’ willingness to engage in e-waste recycling. Attitude has a mediating role in the effects of convenience, knowledge, and awareness of benefits on willingness, and subjective norms have a mediating role in the effects of impression management motivation on willingness. The model explains 82.9% of the variance in residents’ willingness to recycle e-waste, surpassing the original TRA model’s explanatory power and confirming the strength of the extended framework. The study provides valuable policy implications for the government to promote e-waste recycling. Full article

Social marketing modifies individual behavior to achieve specific outcomes, mitigating environmental pressures. While proven effective in influencing consumer behavior, empirical studies on its impact on the tourism sector remain limited. This study examines how various social marketing channels influence tourists’ consumption decisions and contributes to achieving SDGs 11 and 12 by reviewing the existing methods of disseminating social marketing content. A conceptual model grounded in theory was developed and empirically tested. In particular, it focuses on the establishment of direct and indirect multi-route effects between social marketing and consumer behavior and introduces different influencing factors. Given the scarcity of research on collective culture, quantitative methods were employed, with data collected through questionnaires in mainland China. Results indicate that social marketing media significantly influence tourist behavior, with three mediators—subjective norms, personal values, and communication channels—playing varying roles across media types (events, public relations, and traditional media). Subjective norms, values, and communication channels act as mediators. This study bridges social marketing, tourist behavior, and SDG attainment, offering novel insights and practical implications for tourism practitioners. Full article

This article explores the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in digital marketing through social and mobile networks and its role in fostering sustainable consumer behavior. AI enhances personalization, sentiment analysis, and campaign automation, reshaping marketing dynamics and enabling brands to engage interactively with users. A quantitative study conducted on 501 social media users evaluates how perceived benefits, risks, trust, transparency, satisfaction, and social norms influence the acceptance of AI-driven marketing tools. Using structural equation modeling (SEM), the findings show that social norms and perceived transparency significantly enhance trust in AI, while perceived benefits and satisfaction drive user acceptance; conversely, perceived risks and negative emotions undermine trust. From a sustainability perspective, AI supports the efficient targeting and personalization of eco-conscious content, aligning marketing with environmentally responsible practices. This study contributes to ethical AI and sustainable digital strategies by offering empirical evidence and practical insights for responsible AI integration in marketing. Full article

Power-to-X (ptx) technologies are considered a promising solution for enabling the storage and sectoral integration of renewable energy, playing a vital role in the sustainable transition of industrialized energy systems. This study investigates the public acceptance of ptx technologies in Germany using a quantitative, environmental–psychological framework. Key influencing factors such as social and personal norms, environmental awareness, and openness to innovation are analyzed. A particular focus is placed on generational differences, comparing the perceptions of youth (16–25 years) and adults (>25 years) through a representative online survey. The results reveal a general lack of knowledge about ptx technologies yet a positive assessment of their decarbonization potential. Ecological impact—particularly the ability to reduce CO₂ emissions—emerges as the strongest predictor of acceptance. This is closely tied to conditions such as the use of renewable electricity and sustainable sourcing of carbon and water. Notably, acceptance among youth is also influenced by environmental awareness, prior knowledge, and perceived behavioral control. The results show that, in general, there is still a need for improved science communication to address the existing uncertainties in the population. At the same time, age-specific approaches are required, as perceptions and acceptance factors differ significantly between younger and older age groups. Full article

With the increasing amount of attention paid to sustainable tourism, balancing tourism growth with ecosystem conservation has become critical. As one of the most concentrated forms of tourism, island tourism is subject to distinct ecological pressures, making the study of tourists’ environmentally responsible behavior (TERB) both urgent and necessary. However, research on TERB in island tourism remains limited. In this study, we investigated Jeju Island as a case study and, based on 575 valid responses, integrated the value–identity–personal norm (VIP), value–attitude–behavior (VAB), theory of planned behavior (TPB), and complexity theory models to explore the formation pathways of TERB systematically. Structural equation modeling (SEM) confirmed that the core components of the VIP, VAB, and TPB models positively influence the development of TERB, while nationality emerged as a significant moderator. Fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) further revealed six causal configurations, highlighting the diverse and non-linear TERB pathways. These findings will serve as significant theoretical insights into TERB and provide practical strategies for utilizing ecotourism as a tool for sustainable island tourism development. Full article

Given that there is a huge gap between environmental concerns, recycling awareness, and township consumers’ actual recycling behavior, it is important to determine their actual recycling behavior in order to develop sustainable recycling campaigns in townships. Studies have pointed out the significance of consumer, that is, user engagement in driving actual recycling behavior as part of addressing the negative effects of environmental challenges linked to not recycling on climate change. Studies on recycling behavior in South African townships are limited. The collection of waste in South African townships is less effective than in urban areas. This has resulted in consumers disposing of their waste informally in the spaces between their houses and shacks. An online survey was conducted among 411 township consumers in South Africa, which showed that a positive attitude towards recycling and perceived behavioral control positively and significantly affect consumers’ intention to engage in recycling, whereas subjective norms had no effect. Recycling attitude, personal norms, subjective norms, facilitating conditions, and environmental concerns were found to influence consumers’ actual recycling behavior. Furthermore, users’ intention to engage in recycling was found to mediate the relationship between recycling attitude, perceived behavioral control, facilitating conditions, personal norms, and actual recycling behavior. This paper contributes to the literature on recycling behavior and is useful for municipalities, policy makers, organizations, governments, and other relevant stakeholders on the drivers of actual recycling behavior among township consumers. Full article

Vietnam’s tourism sector has experienced rapid expansion, yielding significant economic gains, but also escalating environmental and socio-cultural challenges. This necessitates a shift toward sustainable tourism practices. This study develops and tests an integrative model combining the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Value–Belief–Norm (VBN) theory to investigate the Sustainable Consumption Behavior (SCB) of domestic travelers in Vietnam. Grounded in the country’s collectivist culture—characterized by a strong emphasis on communal values and social harmony—the research examines how rational decision-making and normative pressures jointly drive eco-friendly travel behaviors. Data were collected from 549 Vietnamese tourists through stratified sampling across three major regions, and were analyzed through a robust multi-step methodology, including Exploratory Factor Analysis, Confirmatory Factor Analysis, and structural equation modeling (SEM), supplemented by regression analysis. The SEM results indicate that the proposed model accounts for 60.8% of the variance in SCB, underscoring its explanatory power. Within the TPB framework, Attitude, Subjective Norms, and Perceived Behavioral Control significantly predict Behavioral Intention, which, in turn, mediates their influence on SCB. In the VBN component, Environmental Awareness shapes Altruistic and Biospheric Values, fostering the New Environmental Paradigm and activating Personal Norms, which exert a direct effect on SCB. This direct influence of Personal Norms, bypassing Behavioral Intention, highlights the role of implicit moral obligations in Vietnam’s collectivist cultural context and challenges Western-centric behavioral models. Beyond these frameworks, Destination Attributes and Consumer Innovativeness emerge as critical direct predictors of SCB, with Destination Attributes showing the strongest effect. Mediation analyses confirm Behavioral Intention’s central role, while moderation tests reveal that gender and travel experience modulate TPB-based relationships, suggesting the value of targeted interventions. Theoretically, this study advances TPB–VBN integration by applying it to a collectivist setting, revealing how cultural norms amplify normative influences on sustainable behavior. Practically, it advocates for strategies such as community-driven initiatives leveraging Personal Norms, educational campaigns to enhance Perceived Behavioral Control, and sustainable destination management initiatives in locations like Da Nang and Ha Long Bay. While the cross-sectional design limits causal claims, the findings provide a foundation for future longitudinal studies and cross-cultural comparisons, particularly in other collectivist societies, potentially incorporating digital engagement and policy incentives as novel factors. Full article

Amid growing sustainability demands, limited research explores how green organizational practices influence employee retention through personal norms. In the Chinese manufacturing sector, where talent retention is increasingly critical amid environmental challenges, this study examined the relationships between green shared vision, green corporate social responsibility (CSR), green psychological climate, and green human resource management (HRM) with employee retention, mediated by personal norms. A quantitative research design was adopted, collecting survey data from 263 employees working in the Chinese manufacturing sector. Structural equation modeling (SEM) using Smart PLS tested the direct and mediating effects of personal norms on the relationship between green organizational practices and employee retention. The results reveal that green shared vision and green CSR significantly enhance personal norms, which positively impact employee retention. Personal norms mediate the relationships between these two practices and retention. However, green psychological climate and green HRM show no significant direct or mediated effects on personal norms and retention, suggesting the need for additional contextual alignment to enhance their effectiveness. Organizations should integrate sustainability into their strategic vision and CSR activities to foster personal norms that drive retention. Efforts such as green communication campaigns, community-centered CSR programs, and targeted green HRM policies can strengthen employees’ alignment with organizational goals and reduce turnover. This study extends the theory of planned behavior (TPB) by demonstrating the role of personal norms as a mediator, providing fresh insights into the psychological mechanisms linking green practices to employee retention within China’s manufacturing context. Full article

Low-carbon agricultural technology (LCAT) is essential for China to achieve its carbon emissions peak by 2030 and neutrality by 2060. Farmers’ adoption of LCAT is crucial for adapting to and mitigating climate change risks. This study explores the social-psychological factors shaping farmers’ LCAT adoption behavior, utilizing the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Normative Activation Model. Survey data from 360 farmers in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Findings show that behavioral attitude, perceived behavioral control, subjective norms, and personal norms have positive and direct effects on farmers’ LCAT adoption. The analyses also discovered four mediation paths that indirectly influence farmers’ LCAT adoption, including Subjective Norms → Personal Norms → Adoption Level; Consequence Awareness → Personal Norms → Adoption Level; Responsibility Attribution → Personal Norms → Adoption Level; and Consequence Awareness → Responsibility Attribution → Personal Norms → Adoption Level. The study deepens our understanding of the social-psychological mechanism underlying farmers’ LCAT adoption behavior. The findings offer valuable insights for promoting low-carbon agricultural technologies and guiding policy development. Recommendations include promoting LCAT by leveraging social influence to enhance social norms, educating farmers on ethical environmental stewardship, raising awareness of farming’s environmental impacts, and providing policy incentives and technical support to reduce adoption barriers. Full article

Sustainable development purposes require strong emphasis on green food promotion as an essential component. The decision-making process of Generation X members toward green food consumption creates important effects on both personal health and environmental sustainability and social programs and economic stability. This research examines environmental self-identity and environmental values as predictors of green food consumption intentions with analysis of attitude and relevant intermediate factors that include personal standards as well as perceived control over behavior. The researcher gathered data through convenience sampling from 480 Chinese Generation X participants. Statistical analysis followed the pretest to perform assessments for reliability and validity testing. Structural equation modeling (SEM) processed the data while validating confirmatory factor analysis and path analysis testing. Data analysis demonstrates that environmental values directly drive green food consumption intentions. These values operate through two key pathways: (1) shaping positive attitudes toward green food, and (2) reinforcing subjective norms and perceived behavioral control. These mechanisms collectively promote pro-environmental choices with measurable ecological and social benefits. The research shows self-identity as an environmental entity positively affects green food consumption because it strengthens users’ self-belief as eco-conscious consumers leading to intensified attitudes and subjective norms and perception of behavior control. The research enriches the TPB (theory of planned behavior) by proving that environmental attitudes respond to environmental factors including social environments along with economic capacity and living conditions to shape generation X consumers’ intentions to buy green food. The findings advance sustainable consumption theories by revealing generation-specific behavioral mechanisms, while providing actionable insights for designing targeted green marketing strategies and policy interventions. Full article

Combatting climate change requires motivating individuals to adopt climate-friendly behaviors, whether to make individual lifestyle changes, vote for environmental policy, or accept technological innovations. Efforts to promote such behaviors can be more effective when informed by theoretically and empirically driven insights into human behavior change—an endeavor led by persuasion research. This review explores the intersection of persuasion research and climate-friendly behavior, demonstrating how persuasion theory can be applied to encourage climate action. Key theoretical approaches are examined, including the theory of planned behavior, social norms, narrative-based persuasion, framing, and emotional appeals, along with considerations for their practical applications. Additionally, promising future directions for integrating persuasion research into climate change interventions are highlighted; these include tailoring messages based on moral foundations theory and the transtheoretical model, as well as leveraging artificial intelligence to personalize climate-friendly recommendations. By synthesizing insights across persuasion and environmental research, this review provides valuable guidance for environmental researchers, policymakers, intervention designers, communication strategists, and environmental activists in developing robust and effective strategies to increase climate action at a time when accelerating these behaviors is more urgent than ever. Full article

This study examines the influence of environmental concerns on water conservation behaviors among Gen Z tourists in Iranian desert regions by extending the Norm Activation Theory (NAT). Adopting a quantitative approach, data were collected through a structured questionnaire from 330 Gen Z tourists (born between 1997 and 2012) who visited four Iranian desert villages (Qale Bala, Mesr, Abyaneh, and Rezaabad) between April and July 2023. Using systematic sampling, every fifth Gen Z tourist was selected. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Results show that environmental concerns, situational responsibility, and personal norms positively impact water conservation behaviors, while denial of responsibility negatively affects them. Personal norms positively influence pride and guilt emotions, which in turn promote water conservation behaviors. The extended model, incorporating environmental concerns, demonstrated improved explanatory power over the original NAT. This research contributes to sustainable tourism literature by integrating environmental concerns and moral emotions into the NAT framework, offering insights into psychological mechanisms driving pro-environmental behaviors among Gen Z tourists in desert environments. Full article

Effective tunnel construction and demolition (C&D) waste management is a critical issue in the context of sustainable development, and C&D waste management measures guided by 3R principles (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle) comply with the circular economy. In this study, an extended theory of planned behavior model based on the existing literature was proposed to identify the drivers of tunnel construction managers’ intention to implement effective waste management measures; then, the respondents were classified into four groups according to personality traits to explore the effects of personality profile on the heterogeneity in relationships between psychological drivers and C&D waste management intention and behaviors. The results show that all TPB constructs, policies, and environmental concern are significant predictors of managers’ intention to manage C&D waste properly. Then, considerable variance in the driving effects of various psychological drivers across different groups is witnessed. For the positive and temperate participants, subjective norms and policies are the most effective driving factors. However, PBC and environmental concern show a stronger relationship with the conservative and introverted participants’ intentions to adopt effective waste management measures. The findings are beneficial to developing corresponding management measures to promote effective C&D waste management. Full article