Investigating pro-environmental behaviors of well-educated people in Thailand

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (13/14) ◽  
pp. 788-807 ◽  
Author(s):  
Piyapong Janmaimool
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Education ◽  
Risk Communication ◽  
Environmental Risk ◽  
Doctoral Degree ◽  
Environmental Knowledge ◽  
Environmental Behaviors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
High School Degree ◽  
Environmental Actions ◽  
Questionnaire Surveys

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the environmental behaviors of well-educated people in Thailand. Determinants of individuals’ involvement in pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs) are evaluated. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory model was created to investigate the relationship between PEBs and potential predictors that were selected based on the purposes of environmental risk communication and environmental education improvements. Those factors included dispositional, attitudinal, motivational, environmental knowledge, and psychosocial characteristics. Questionnaire surveys with well-educated people (n=810), that is those holding an educational qualification that ranged from a senior high school degree to a doctoral degree, were conducted. Multiple regression analysis was performed to justify the proposed relationship. Findings The result revealed that PEBs of well-educated people could be greatly predicted by an individual’s sense of obligation, perceived probability of receiving impacts from environmental problems, outcome expectancy from environmental behaviors, and environmental knowledge related to environmental phenomena and appropriate environmental actions; whereas, an individual’s environmental worldview and life satisfaction were less significant. Moreover, most of psychosocial variables were not significant predictors. Originality/value Factors determining well-educated people’s engagement in PEBs were evaluated. The results of the investigation provided the implications for environmental risk communication and environmental education improvements.

Evaluating environmental behaviour of the general public in Taiwan

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 179-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Lu Hsu ◽  
Chih-Hung Feng
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Education ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
General Public ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Environmental Knowledge ◽  
Influential Factor ◽  
Environmental Behaviour ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Educational Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine factors influencing environmental behaviour of the general public and to develop educational implications that will enhance effectiveness in information dissemination for environmental sustainability in Taiwan. Design/methodology/approach A survey using personal interviews was administered in Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung metropolitan areas following stratified sampling method based on age and gender distributions of the population between the ages of 18 and 59 in Taiwan. Total valid samples were 481. Probit model was applied to examine factors influencing environmental behaviour. Findings Based on findings in the study, environmental knowledge, pro-environmental attitude (emphasising balance of nature), altruism and habitual behaviour positively influence environmental behaviour. Humancentric (emphasising human domination) negatively influence environmental behaviour. The following educational implications are capable to enlarge a spectrum of environmental behaviour in Taiwan: including topics of waste avoidance and reduction in chemical usage for cleaning or for insecticides in lessons/curricula; and promote general public to live a life which causes fewer burdens on the environment. Research limitations/implications Environmental education plays fundamental role in educating the public with concurrent environmental knowledge, in an expectation that the general public would take the information into consideration and modify behaviour in an effort to sustain the environment. Research implications of this study are: environmental behaviour is multidimensional and can be examined using a comprehensive set of statements including domains of energy conservation, mobility and transportation, waste avoidance, consumerism and recycling; and habitual behaviour is an influencing factor to explain environmental behaviour and can be examined thoroughly in future studies. Originality/value The study provides insights into environmental education based on examining factors influencing environmental behaviour. It advances the field by exploring environmental behaviour in five domains and revealing habitual behaviour as an influential factor. This allows educators to comprehend gaps in environmental behaviour and the needs for environmental education in Taiwan.

scholarly journals Innovation for environmental sustainability: longitudinal effects of an education for sustainable development intervention on university students’ pro-environmentalism

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Collado ◽  
José David Moreno ◽  
José Martín-Albo
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
University Students ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Education For Sustainable Development ◽  
Environmental Knowledge ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Environmental Behaviors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Longitudinal Effects

Purpose Although education for sustainable development (ESD) is a key tool in the transition to a more sustainable society, its integration in higher education remains scarce. One reason for this is that more evidence is needed about the effectiveness of ESD interventions. This study aims to address this gap in the literature by examining the immediate and long-term effects of an ESD intervention on university students’ pro-environmental knowledge, personal environmental norm and pro-environmental behaviors. Design/methodology/approach This study used a quasi-experimental design that examined to what extent participating in an ESD intervention influenced university students’ self-reported pro-environmentalism (i.e. experimental group), compared to those who did not participate in the ESD intervention (i.e. control group). The authors also examined the longitudinal effects of the ESD intervention by recording students’ pro-environmentalism (both in the experimental and control group) 1 year after the intervention. Findings The findings showed that participation in the ESD intervention enhanced students’ pro-environmental knowledge, personal environmental norms and pro-environmental behaviors relative to the no-participation control group. The positive effects of the ESD intervention remained 1 year after the program finished. Originality/value This work explores the effects that ESD interventions have on university students. Its findings provide evidence about the effectiveness of the intervention and, therefore, support the inclusion of ESD at higher educational levels.

Consumer knowledge in pro-environmental behavior

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 328-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naz Onel ◽  
Avinandan Mukherjee
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Environmental Risk ◽  
Environmental Behavior ◽  
Environmental Behaviors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Subjective Knowledge ◽  
Types Of Knowledge ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Environmental Risk Perception ◽  
Scientific Facts

Purpose Environmental behavior studies suggest that knowledge, in addition to other psychological and social factors, can play an important role in consumers’ environmental behavior change. The purpose of this paper is to understand the relationship between knowledge and various psychological factors which encourage consumers’ participation in pro-environmental behaviors. The relationships that link an individual’s attitudes toward science, environmental values, different types of knowledge (i.e. scientific facts, environmental facts, and subjective environmental knowledge), environmental risk perception, and willingness to pay (WTP) for the environment with pro-environmental behavior were examined. Design/methodology/approach Theoretically guided hypotheses and model were formulated and tested with multiple linear regression models. The study was based on measures and data obtained from the large-sample secondary database of the 2010 General Social Survey (n=2,044). Findings Results indicated that while attitudes toward science had direct effects on knowledge of scientific facts and knowledge of environmental facts, environmental values showed effects on knowledge of environmental facts and subjective knowledge on environmental issues. The results also indicated that from different types of knowledge, subjective knowledge on environmental issues had effects on both environmental risk perception and WTP for the environment. Knowledge on environmental facts, on the other hand, was able to predict only environmental risk perception. The scientific factual knowledge did not show an effect on mediator of pro-environmental behavior. Also, subjective knowledge indicated indirect effects on pro-environmental behavior through environmental risk perception and WTP for the environment. Originality/value Although research on understanding factors influencing pro-environmental behaviors and potential relations to individual knowledge has grown in recent years, there has been very little attempt at distinguishing between different types of knowledge and investigating their potential roles in the context of environmentally relevant behaviors. This study will help understand the functioning of different types of consumer environmental knowledge and their impacts on pro-environmental behaviors more in depth.

Implementing an Ecological Simulation: Do Children's Knowledge and Attitudes Change?

2003 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 37-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry Harrison ◽  
Julie Clark
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Education ◽  
Environmental Knowledge ◽  
Knowledge And Attitudes ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Ecological Simulation

AbstractEnvironmental education is concerned with developing both environmental knowledge and positive attitudes towards the environment. An experiential simulation activity about a native Australian bird was designed to develop both these aspects. The simulation was implemented with nine classes of 10-12 year old children. The children completed a survey before and after the simulation and their teachers reported on their responses. The results showed that the children developed additional knowledge of kookaburras and their survival and that their attitudes towards the environment became more positive. Moreover, the children themselves believed they had increased their knowledge and changed their feelings of responsibility towards the environment as a result of the simulation.

How Snowden’s revelations have influenced youngsters’ attitude and behaviour in the PRC and Taiwan

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 213-231
Author(s):  
Kiyoshi Murata ◽  
Yasunori Fukuta ◽  
Andrew A. Adams ◽  
Dang Ronghua
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Republic Of China ◽  
Studying Abroad ◽  
The Social ◽  
State Surveillance ◽  
Questionnaire Surveys

Purpose This study aims to investigate how Snowden’s revelations are viewed by young people in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Taiwan through questionnaire surveys of and follow-up interviews with university students in the two countries, taking into account the histories and current status of state surveillance in these countries and the current complicated and delicate cross-strait relationships. Design/methodology/approach Questionnaire surveys of 315 PRC and 111 Taiwanese university students (a majority studying in those places but a few studying abroad) and semi-structured follow-up interviews with 16 master’s course students from the PRC and one from Taiwan (all studying at Meiji University in Japan) were conducted, in addition to reviews of the literature on privacy and state surveillance in the PRC and Taiwan. The outcomes of the survey were statistically analysed and qualitative analyses of the interview results were also performed. Findings Youngsters living in the PRC had greater interest in and more knowledge about Snowden’s revelations than those living in Taiwan, and the revelations were positively evaluated in both countries as serving public interest. However, PRC students indicated they were less likely to emulate Snowden than those from Taiwan did. Originality/value This study is the first attempt to investigate the social impact of Snowden’s revelations on PRC and Taiwanese youngsters’ attitudes towards privacy and state surveillance as part of cross-cultural analyses between eight countries.

From environmental education to education for sustainable development in higher education: a systematic review

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Mauricio Acosta Castellanos ◽  
Araceli Queiruga-Dios
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Environmental Education ◽  
United Nations ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Education For Sustainable Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Geographical Regions ◽  
The World ◽  
The United Nations

Purpose In education concerning environmental issues, there are two predominant currents in the world, environmental education (EE) and education for sustainable development (ESD). ESD is the formal commitment and therefore promoted by the United Nations, to ensure that countries achieve sustainable development. In contrast, EE was the first educational trend with an environmental protection approach. The purpose of this systematic review that seeks to show whether the migration from EE to ESD is being effective and welcomed by researchers and especially by universities is presented. With the above, a global panorama can be provided, where the regions that choose each model can be identified. In the same sense, it was sought to determine which of the two currents is more accepted within engineering education. Design/methodology/approach The review followed the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyzes parameters for systematic reviews. In total, 198 papers indexed in Scopus, Science Direct, ERIC and Scielo were analyzed. With the results, the advancement of ESD and the state of the EE by regions in the world were identified. Findings It was possible to categorize the geographical regions that host either of the two EE or ESD currents. It is important to note that ESD has gained more strength from the decade of ESD proposed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. For its part, EE has greater historical roots in some regions of the planet. In turn, there is evidence of a limited number of publications on the design and revision of study plans in engineering. Originality/value Through this systematic literature review, the regions of the world that are clinging to EE and those that have taken the path of ESD could be distinguished. Moreover, specific cases in engineering where ESD has been involved were noted.

Patients’ assessment of medical services quality – a determinant of changes in medical entity management on the example of Poland

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Dorota Hampel
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Research ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
Public Healthcare ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Medical Effectiveness ◽  
Medical Entity ◽  
Questionnaire Surveys ◽  
State Of Affairs

PurposeThe article’s primary goal is to identify areas requiring improvement in the activities of healthcare entities, suggest directions for future changes, and indicate the strengths and weaknesses of the clinic’s operation based on patients’ opinions. Subjectively expressed opinions of patients are treated as acceptance of the current state of affairs or the need to introduce changes in a given area.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical research was based on information obtained from questionnaire surveys on patients’ opinions about services provided by medical entities. The hypothesis was verified by research conducted in 23 (out of 50 possible) the most dynamically developing non-public healthcare institutions in one of the regions of Poland. The conducted research was based on a proprietary survey using questions on qualitative and quantitative scales.FindingsThe results of empirical research allowed us to identify areas requiring improvement and to propose future directions of changes in the surveyed units. The suggested changes should significantly improve efficiency in the organisation and management of a health facility, focused on medical effectiveness and patients’ health effectiveness.Originality/valueFrom a broader perspective, research results may become a starting point for further considerations on changes in the organisation and management of healthcare facilities. Using the study’s conclusions in practice may positively affect the improvement of the functioning of healthcare facilities, their better reputation and contribute to increasing competitiveness in the medical services market.

Analysing and evaluating environmental information disclosure in universities: the role of corporate governance, stakeholders and culture

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesús Mauricio Flórez-Parra ◽  
Maria Victoria Lopez-Perez ◽  
Antonio M. López Hernández ◽  
Raquel Garde Sánchez
Keyword(s):  
Information Disclosure ◽  
Stakeholder Participation ◽  
Environmental Information ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Environmental Actions ◽  
Determining Factors ◽  
Environmental Information Disclosure ◽  
Internal And External Factors ◽  
The University

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the internal and external factors related to the disclosure of environmental information in universities which reflect the actions carried out in these universities. Design/methodology/approach Taking as reference the first 200 universities in the Shanghai ranking, several factors associated with the degree of environmental information disclosure in universities – governance dimension, the relationship and participation of stakeholders, position and prestige as signs of the quality of the institution and cultural concern in the university’s country for the environment – are analysed. Findings The results obtained show that the size of the leadership team, stakeholder participation, the position of the university in rankings and cultural concern in the university’s country for the environment are determining factors in the university’s environmental actions and, consequently, in their disclosure. Other factors – such as the size of the university, the level of self-financing and financial autonomy – do not affect the disclosure of environmental information. Originality/value Scant research exists on the environmental commitments of universities; this paper aims to fill that gap. Their role as the main channel of research and as instructors of future professionals makes them points of reference in society. Research on university ranking has traditionally focussed on teaching and research results, but environmental issues are becoming increasingly important. This paper enumerates the factors that influence the dissemination of environmental information in the most prestigious universities. This research also provides an original approach by considering not only top-down but also bottom-up strategies through communication channels and the incidence of cultural factors.

Organic shoppers’ involvement in organic foods: self and identity

2019 ◽  
Vol 121 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun-Hee Kim
Keyword(s):  
Mass Media ◽  
Role Identity ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Organic Foods ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Health Consciousness ◽  
Socially Responsible Consumer ◽  
Questionnaire Surveys ◽  
Socially Responsible Consumer Behavior ◽  
Customer Values

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to understand how identities drive customer values, attitudes toward organic foods and satisfaction, all of which influence world or mouth (WOM).Design/methodology/approachQuestionnaire surveys were administered to the purchasers of organic foods. In total, 512 completed responses were obtained for data analysis.FindingsStrongly defined social identity and role identity are significant antecedents of consumers’ health consciousness and socially responsible consumer behavior (SRCB). This finding explains why organic shoppers value their health and the environment (i.e. self- and others-oriented values). Additionally, health consciousness and SRCB significantly influence attitudes toward organic foods. The study reveals that attitudes toward organic foods positively influence organic shoppers’ satisfaction, and their satisfaction increases positive WOM. Finally, the moderating effects of involvement and mass media are examined. When organic shoppers are strongly involved with organic foods, their health consciousness has a more positive effect on their attitudes toward organic foods. However, organic shoppers’ involvement did not moderate the effect of SRCB on attitudes toward organic foods. Likewise, the mass media did not moderate the effect of health consciousness and SRCB on attitudes toward organic foods.Originality/valueThis study incorporates critical factors such as the antecedents of the customer values to develop a comprehensive model for understanding of organic shoppers’ consumption of organic foods.

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