scholarly journals Electricity Use Behaviour in a High-Income Neighbourhood in Johannesburg, South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 4571 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Paige Williams ◽  
Gladman Thondhlana ◽  
Harn Wei Kua
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
High Income ◽  
Value Orientations ◽  
Environmentally Sustainable ◽  
Water Heaters ◽  
Electricity Use ◽  
Self Transcendence ◽  
Electricity Saving

Worldwide, households’ consumption of electricity contributes to a substantial proportion of total national energy demand. Thus, the residential sector is a major entity in efforts to define and achieve global sustainability goals. Understanding electricity use behaviour and factors underlying behaviour is critical for designing behaviour change interventions, particularly in contexts characterised by fast-growing economies, burgeoning number of high-income households, and consumption growth. However, relative to developed economies, very little is known on this subject in South Africa. Using structured questionnaires, this study examines electricity use behaviour among high-income households in Johannesburg, South Africa. Findings indicate evidence of electricity-saving behaviour, but the proportion of households doing so was less than 50% for many actions, indicative of widespread wasteful habits. Other particular wasteful electricity use habits include leaving electronic gadgets and appliances on ‘standby’ mode, not turning off electric water heaters and not defrosting fridges without automatic settings. The findings lend support to the positive and negative influence of self-transcendence and egoistic values respectively on environmental behaviour, but other value orientations did not yield significant relationships. The implications of the findings on practical interventions for and theoretical constructs underlying strategies for environmentally-sustainable behaviour are discussed.

Behavioural interventions yield electricity savings among high-income households in Johannesburg, South Africa

2021 ◽  
pp. 0958305X2110443
Author(s):  
Stephanie P Williams ◽  
Gladman Thondhlana ◽  
Harn Wei Kua
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Electricity Consumption ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
High Income ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Behavioural Interventions ◽  
Electricity Use ◽  
Size Number ◽  
Electricity Saving ◽  
The Impact

The societal benefits of addressing wasteful electricity use practices through behavioural interventions are now well-established. Surprisingly, in South Africa, where the economy is highly dependent on fossil fuel (coal) for electricity generation, this subject remains little studied and understood. The residential sector is a major electricity consumer, and high-income households, in particular, use a substantial proportion of total electricity with serious adverse impacts on grid stability and the environment, which can disproportionately affect the poor. Using a field-based experiment, this study examines the impact of behavioural interventions on household electricity savings and the determinants of success among high-income households in Johannesburg, South Africa. Over the intervention period, households exposed to a combination of electricity-saving information, frequent reminders and feedback on monthly electricity-saving performance showed mean electricity savings of about 1.5%, ranging from 2% to 4% of electricity, while households in the control group showed increased electricity consumption by approximately 11%. Out of all the demographic and personal value factors considered, age, achievement and benevolence promoted electricity savings, while household size, number of rooms, baseline electricity consumption and security inhibited savings. The findings empirically validate the impact of behavioural interventions on, and the positive influence of, personal values in promoting participation in electricity-saving actions within households.

scholarly journals Reported Behavioural Patterns of Electricity Use among Low-Income Households in Makhanda, South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 7271
Author(s):  
Uzziah Mutumbi ◽  
Gladman Thondhlana ◽  
Sheunesu Ruwanza
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Sustainable Consumption ◽  
Electricity Consumption ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Electricity Use ◽  
Behavioural Patterns ◽  
Education Levels ◽  
Basic Services ◽  
Low Income Households

Households consume up to 20% of overall electricity consumption globally; hence, they are important role players in efforts towards promoting sustainable consumption. Research on electricity use behaviour is important for informing intervention strategies; however, relative to developed countries, research on this subject is lacking in developing countries where electricity access is limited. In South Africa, electricity use behaviour among poor neighbourhoods remains little studied and understood. This study was carried out among low-income households in Makhanda, South Africa, characterised by high poverty and unemployment rates, low education levels, and limited access to basic services. Using a self-reporting approach, electricity use behaviour of low-income households was assessed against a list of common household electricity use actions. A survey of 297 households was conducted. The findings show mixed results, with households reporting both good electricity use behaviour (e.g., cooling down hot food before refrigeration and using washing machines on full load) and wasteful actions (e.g., leaving appliances on standby). Our results show that electricity use behaviour was influenced by socio-psychological values including universalism, benevolence, hedonism, and power. Some of the reported electricity behavioural patterns are consistent with those previously reported among high-income households. The theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed.

Strategies for tailored messages : interaction of personal value orientation and freedom threat for chronic diseases management and behavior changes

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Kyung Jung Han
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Value Orientation ◽  
Value Orientations ◽  
Health Messages ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Current Status ◽  
University Of Missouri ◽  
Health News ◽  
Personal Value ◽  
Self Transcendence

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] The purpose of the overall study was to explore more effective ways of creating tailored health messages for technology-based interventions in order to help self-management of chronic diseases. The overall study is twofold: Study 1 -- systematic review and Study 2 -- experimental study. Conducting Study 1 -- review study -- has shed light on the current status of research on technology-based interventions for managing chronic diseases. Specifically, the study considered methodological quality and features of interventions as indices in order to improve the effectiveness of the technology-based interventions for chronic diseases. Accordingly, given personal value orientation and freedom threat, Study 2 investigated these as potential elements to be included in tailored health messages and leading to more or less persuasive effects for self-management. It examined whether invoking an individual’s personal value orientation between two extreme value orientations--self-enhancement and self-transcendence--and threatening an individual’s freedom in health news messages on diabetes can cause psychological reactance and affect compliance with suggested health behaviors. The details of each study will be explained.

Analysis of Energy System in South Africa Using Exponential Smoothing Approach and Regression Technique

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 51-67
Author(s):  
Mohammad Mehdi Ghiasi ◽  
Alireza Aslani ◽  
Younes Noorollahi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Growth Rate ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Nuclear Energy ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Exponential Smoothing ◽  
Industrial Growth ◽  
Simple Exponential Smoothing

The energy demand has increased dramatically in the recent decades. Due to the limitations and environmental effects of fossil fuels, secure level of energy supply is vital for economic and social development. This work is to review the energy sector in South Africa. After that, the consumptions of coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear energy are estimated by employing simple exponential smoothing methodology. Finding shows that the primary energy consumption in the South Africa is correlated as a function of population growth rate, industrial growth rate, and GDP.

scholarly journals The influence of employees’ cross-cultural psychological capital on workplace psychological well-being

2019 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina Kotze ◽  
Liezel Massyn
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Work Engagement ◽  
Psychological Capital ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Structural Equations ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Variable Cross ◽  
Psychological Well Being

Orientation: In order to withstand the global and local cultural diversity and challenges that South African workplaces face, it is essential for employees to have cross-cultural psychological resources (i.e. cross-cultural psychological capital). A lack of cross-cultural psychological capital or the inability to adjust to cross-cultural environments may impact negatively employees’ psychological well-being.Research purpose: The purpose of this research was to explore the influence of employees’ cross-cultural psychological capital on their psychological well-being (indicated by burnout and work engagement).Motivation for the study: Cross-cultural psychological capital and its influence on employees’ psychological well-being have not been explored in South Africa. This study aimed to fill this gap.Research approach/design and method: Data were collected using questionnaires completed by 213 employees from different organisations in South Africa. Partial least squares (PLS) and structural equations modelling (SEM) were used to explore the relationships between the independent variable (cross-cultural psychological capital) and burnout and work engagement.Main findings: Cross-cultural psychological capital had a statistically significant negative influence on burnout and a statistically significant positive influence on work engagement. It had a stronger negative influence on emotional exhaustion than on cynicism and a stronger positive influence on vigour than on dedication.Practical/managerial implications: Enhancing employees’ cross-cultural psychological capital by means of programmes and short interventions may improve their psychological well-being.Contribution/value-add: This research contributed to filling the gap in the literature regarding the role of cross-cultural psychological capital in the psychological well-being of employees working in cross-cultural environments.

Urban shared energy systems and behaviour change − simulating a common pooled resource problem

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig Alexander Burton ◽  
Christopher Ryan ◽  
Behzad Rismanchi ◽  
Seona Candy
Keyword(s):  
Energy Demand ◽  
Direct Action ◽  
Energy Systems ◽  
Social Benefits ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Dynamic Interactions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
System A ◽  
Electricity Use ◽  
Future Supply

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to test a new methodology for simulating shared electricity generation among small groups of neighbours with Ostrom’s (1994) principles of common pool resource (CPR) (human behaviour-based) efficiencies. The approach does not anticipate exclusive off-grid communities but instead, diverse energy users taking advantage of the averaging effects of aggregation, the social benefits of a CPR and direct action on emissions. Design/methodology/approach The study tested three groups of five adjacent − or same-building − neighbours for three months to measure how electricity demand (import) is affected by an in-home display issuing nudges and sanctions by the group around a simulated (limited capacity) shared solar and battery system. A control group of six homes’ energy data was obtained for the same period. Findings Two groups reduced their energy demand with weak but significant correlation between stimulus and reduced energy demand and one group increased demand. There were no significant effects in time-of-use behaviours. Research limitations/implications The study shows that the interaction between consumers and energy systems can in this instance be simulated with inexpensive equipment. Studying dynamic interactions between people and systems provides new data where supply simulations have been one-sided. There is support in this work that the energy supply can be presented as a rivalrous commons system. Practical implications Urban adjacent neighbours (and apartment occupants in the same building or campus) exhibit emergent group behaviours around electricity use conservation and time-of-use. Managing energy demand is very difficult but very important for making consumer behaviour “fit” the future supply of energy which may be unreliable and limited. Social implications There are likely social benefits and other overflow benefits when neighbours can share a critical resource. There are other critical services that may be managed according to the Ostrom commons principles. The sharing group will be more resilient in terms of electricity but also in terms of social capital. Originality/value The work builds on the work of Rachel Coxcoon and others who have identified that groups perform better at certain challenges than individuals do. This aligns with scale and operational efficiencies in shared renewable energy infrastructure. Shaping behaviour and the generation systems together for optimal outcomes is new work.

Action for increasing energy-saving behaviour in student residences at Rhodes University, South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 773-789 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angel Ancha Lindelwa Bulunga ◽  
Gladman Thondhlana
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Energy Saving ◽  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Environmental Behaviour ◽  
Content Type

Purpose In response to increasing energy demand and financial constraints to invest in green infrastructure, behaviour change energy-saving interventions are increasingly being considered as a tool for encouraging pro-environmental behaviour in campus residences. This paper aims to report on a pilot programme aimed at reducing energy consumption via behaviour change interventions, variably applied in residences at Rhodes University, South Africa. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected via structured questionnaires, energy consumption records and post-intervention programme focus group discussions. Findings Participant residences that received a mix of different interventions in the forms of pamphlets, face-to-face discussions, incentives and feedback recorded more energy reductions of up to 9 per cent than residences that received a single or no intervention. In post-experiment discussions, students cited personal, institutional and structural barriers to pro-environmental energy-use behaviour. Practical implications Overall, the results of this study suggest that information provision of energy-saving tips combined with regular feedback and incentives can result in energy-use reductions in university residences, which may yield environmental and economic benefits for universities, but addressing barriers to pro-environmental behaviour might maximise the results. Originality/value Given the lack of literature on energy conservation in the global South universities, this study provides the basis for discussing the potential for using behavioural interventions in universities for stirring pathways towards sustainability.

scholarly journals Patterns of SES Health Disparities Among Older Adults in Three Upper Middle- and Two High-Income Countries

2018 ◽  
Vol 74 (6) ◽  
pp. e25-e37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary McEniry ◽  
Rafael Samper-Ternent ◽  
Carmen Elisa Flórez ◽  
Renata Pardo ◽  
Carlos Cano-Gutierrez
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
High Income ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity ◽  
Obesity Hypertension ◽  
Health Gradient

Abstract Objectives To examine the socioeconomic status (SES) health gradient for obesity, diabetes, and hypertension within a diverse group of health outcomes and behaviors among older adults (60+) in upper middle-income countries benchmarked with high-income countries. Method We used data from three upper middle-income settings (Colombia-SABE-Bogotá, Mexico-SAGE, and South Africa-SAGE) and two high-income countries (England-ELSA and US-HRS) to estimate logistic regression models using age, gender, and education to predict health and health behaviors. Results The sharpest gradients appear in middle-income settings but follow expected patterns found in high-income countries for poor self-reported health, functionality, cognitive impairment, and depression. However, weaker gradients appear for obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and other chronic conditions in Colombia and Mexico and the gradient reverses in South Africa. Strong disparities exist in risky health behaviors and in early nutritional status in the middle-income settings. Discussion Rapid demographic and nutritional transitions, urbanization, poor early life conditions, social mobility, negative health behavior, and unique country circumstances provide a useful framework for understanding the SES health gradient in middle-income settings. In contrast with high-income countries, the increasing prevalence of obesity, an important risk factor for chronic conditions and other aspects of health, may ultimately change the SES gradient for diseases in the future.

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