IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/eneeco/v124y2023ics0140988323002669.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Emotional or rational choice: The influence of individual personality on energy-saving behavior

Author

Listed:
  • Ma, Yuan
  • Liu, Changshan

Abstract

Exploring the formation mechanism of individual energy-saving behavior, especially from the perspective of individual micro characteristics, is important to alleviate energy shortage and achieve sustainable economic and social development. The impacts of individual emotional personality and rational personality on energy-saving behavior are analyzed by the hierarchical regression analysis, structural equation, and bootstrap method based on 543 samples in this study. The moderating effect of social environmental atmosphere in the relationship between these personalities and energy-saving behavior is considered. The results show that: (1) emotional personality and rational personality have a positive impact on individuals' energy-saving behavior, and emotional personality has a greater positive effect on energy-saving behavior than rational personality; (2) social environmental atmosphere can strengthen the positive effect of emotional personality on energy-saving behavior, but the moderating effect is not significant in the relationship between rational personality and energy-saving behavior. Based on the study findings, suggestions were put forward, so as to enhance the enthusiasm of public to implement energy-saving behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Ma, Yuan & Liu, Changshan, 2023. "Emotional or rational choice: The influence of individual personality on energy-saving behavior," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:eneeco:v:124:y:2023:i:c:s0140988323002669
    DOI: 10.1016/j.eneco.2023.106768
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140988323002669
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.eneco.2023.106768?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Peidong Sang & Haona Yao & Lin Zhang & Sen Wang & Yanjie Wang & Jinjian Liu, 2020. "Influencing factors of consumers’ willingness to purchase green housing: a survey from Shandong Province, China," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 22(5), pages 4267-4287, June.
    2. Junjun Zheng & Mingmiao Yang & Mingyuan Xu & Cheng Zhao & Cong Shao, 2019. "An Empirical Study of the Impact of Social Interaction on Public Pro-Environmental Behavior," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-14, November.
    3. Xiang, Xiwang & Ma, Minda & Ma, Xin & Chen, Liming & Cai, Weiguang & Feng, Wei & Ma, Zhili, 2022. "Historical decarbonization of global commercial building operations in the 21st century," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 322(C).
    4. Ding, Zhihua & Wang, Guangqiang & Liu, Zhenhua & Long, Ruyin, 2017. "Research on differences in the factors influencing the energy-saving behavior of urban and rural residents in China–A case study of Jiangsu Province," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 252-259.
    5. Huang, Huiping, 2016. "Media use, environmental beliefs, self-efficacy, and pro-environmental behavior," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(6), pages 2206-2212.
    6. Bearden, William O & Netemeyer, Richard G & Teel, Jesse E, 1989. "Measurement of Consumer Susceptibility to Interpersonal Influence," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 15(4), pages 473-481, March.
    7. Lerner, Jennifer & Han, Seunghee & Keltner, Dacher, 2007. "Feelings and Consumer Decision Making: Extending the Appraisal-Tendency Framework," Scholarly Articles 37143006, Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
    8. Bing Wang & Qiran Cai & Zhenming Sun, 2020. "Determinants of Willingness to Participate in Urban Incentive-Based Energy Demand-Side Response: An Empirical Micro-Data Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-18, September.
    9. Kinga Hoffmann-Burdzińska & Agata Stolecka-Makowska & Olaf Flak & Marcin Lipowski & Mariusz Łapczyński, 2022. "Consumers’ Social Responsibility in the Process of Energy Consumption—The Case of Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-17, July.
    10. Lan-Cui Liu & Gang Wu & Yue-Jun Zhang, 2015. "Investigating the residential energy consumption behaviors in Beijing: a survey study," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 75(1), pages 243-263, January.
    11. Jana S. Kesenheimer & Tobias Greitemeyer, 2021. "Going Green (and Not Being Just More Pro-Social): Do Attitude and Personality Specifically Influence Pro-Environmental Behavior?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-12, March.
    12. Robert D. Gifford & Angel K. S. Chen, 2017. "Why aren’t we taking action? Psychological barriers to climate-positive food choices," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 140(2), pages 165-178, January.
    13. S. Wolfe, 2012. "Water Cognition and Cognitive Affective Mapping: Identifying Priority Clusters Within a Canadian Water Efficiency Community," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 26(10), pages 2991-3004, August.
    14. Frey, Bruno S & Oberholzer-Gee, Felix, 1997. "The Cost of Price Incentives: An Empirical Analysis of Motivation Crowding-Out," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 87(4), pages 746-755, September.
    15. Han, Myat Su & Cudjoe, Dan, 2020. "Determinants of energy-saving behavior of urban residents: Evidence from Myanmar," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).
    16. Ricci, Elena Claire & Banterle, Alessandro, 2020. "Do major climate change-related public events have an impact on consumer choices?," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    17. Piyapong Janmaimool & Surapong Chudech, 2020. "Effect of Domestic and Global Environmental Events on Environmental Concern and Environmental Responsibility among University Students," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-20, February.
    18. Oliveira, João S. & Ifie, Kemefasu & Sykora, Martin & Tsougkou, Eleni & Castro, Vitor & Elayan, Suzanne, 2022. "The effect of emotional positivity of brand-generated social media messages on consumer attention and information sharing," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 49-61.
    19. Hui Zhou & Haitao Yin & Fang Yuan & Feng Wang, 2019. "Social relationships, public media, and pro-environmental behaviors," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 57(2), pages 569-588, August.
    20. Hélène Bouscasse & Iragaël Joly & Patrick Bonnel, 2018. "How does environmental concern influence mode choice habits? A mediation analysis," Post-Print hal-01868333, HAL.
    21. repec:cup:judgdm:v:15:y:2020:i:3:p:413-420 is not listed on IDEAS
    22. Lamberto Zollo, 2021. "The Consumers’ Emotional Dog Learns to Persuade Its Rational Tail: Toward a Social Intuitionist Framework of Ethical Consumption," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 168(2), pages 295-313, January.
    23. Ying Sun & Shanyong Wang & Lan Gao & Jun Li, 2018. "Unearthing the effects of personality traits on consumer’s attitude and intention to buy green products," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 93(1), pages 299-314, August.
    24. Chen, Qi & Feng, Yuqiang & Liu, Luning & Tian, Xianyun, 2019. "Understanding consumers’ reactance of online personalized advertising: A new scheme of rational choice from a perspective of negative effects," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 53-64.
    25. Ruixia Han & Jian Xu, 2020. "A Comparative Study of the Role of Interpersonal Communication, Traditional Media and Social Media in Pro-Environmental Behavior: A China-Based Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-21, March.
    26. So-Yun Kim & Jungsung Yeo & Sang Sohn & Jong-Youn Rha & Shinae Choi & A-young Choi & Suhyun Shin, 2012. "Toward a Composite Measure of Green Consumption: An Exploratory Study Using a Korean Sample," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 33(2), pages 199-214, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Grigorios, Lamprinakos & Magrizos, Solon & Kostopoulos, Ioannis & Drossos, Dimitrios & Santos, David, 2022. "Overt and covert customer data collection in online personalized advertising: The role of user emotions," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 308-320.
    2. Biao Luo & Mengzhen Nie & Hongmei Ji, 2023. "The Influence of Internet Celebrities’ Expertise and Attraction on Residents’ Intention to Purchase Household Energy-Saving Products in the Context of an Online Community," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-13, April.
    3. Xixiang Sun & Weihuan Su & Xiaodong Guo & Ziyuan Tian, 2021. "The Impact of Awe Induced by COVID-19 Pandemic on Green Consumption Behavior in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-14, January.
    4. Pengya Ai & Wu Li & Wuyue Yang, 2021. "Adolescents’ Social Media Use and Their Voluntary Garbage Sorting Intention: A Sequential Mediation Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-12, July.
    5. Nekmahmud, Md. & Naz, Farheen & Ramkissoon, Haywantee & Fekete-Farkas, Maria, 2022. "Transforming consumers' intention to purchase green products: Role of social media," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).
    6. Ruixia Han & Yali Cheng, 2020. "The Influence of Norm Perception on Pro-Environmental Behavior: A Comparison between the Moderating Roles of Traditional Media and Social Media," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-18, September.
    7. Cheng, Junjun & Chen, Bo & Huang, Zihang, 2023. "Collective-based ad transparency in targeted hotel advertising: Consumers’ regulatory focus underlying the crowd safety effect," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    8. Anja Schöttner & Veikko Thiele, 2010. "Promotion Tournaments and Individual Performance Pay," Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 19(3), pages 699-731, September.
    9. Gary Bolton & Eugen Dimant & Ulrich Schmidt, 2018. "When a Nudge Backfires. Using Observation with Social and Economic Incentives to Promote Pro-Social Behavior," PPE Working Papers 0017, Philosophy, Politics and Economics, University of Pennsylvania.
    10. Pengji Wang & Adrian T. H. Kuah & Qinye Lu & Caroline Wong & K. Thirumaran & Emmanuel Adegbite & Wesley Kendall, 2021. "The impact of value perceptions on purchase intention of sustainable luxury brands in China and the UK," Journal of Brand Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 28(3), pages 325-346, May.
    11. Kverndokk, Snorre & Figenbaum, Erik & Hovi, Jon, 2020. "Would my driving pattern change if my neighbor were to buy an emission-free car?," Resource and Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 60(C).
    12. Elena Cettolin & Arno Riedl, 2011. "Partial Coercion, Conditional Cooperation, and Self-Commitment in Voluntary Contributions to Public Goods," CESifo Working Paper Series 3556, CESifo.
    13. Lacetera, Nicola & Macis, Mario, 2008. "Motivating Altruism: A Field Study," IZA Discussion Papers 3770, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    14. Aseem Kaul & Jiao Luo, 2018. "An economic case for CSR: The comparative efficiency of for‐profit firms in meeting consumer demand for social goods," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 39(6), pages 1650-1677, June.
    15. Elke Renner, 2004. "Wie lässt sich Korruption wirksam bekämpfen?: Empirische Befunde aus der experimentellen Wirtschaftsforschung," Vierteljahrshefte zur Wirtschaftsforschung / Quarterly Journal of Economic Research, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research, vol. 73(2), pages 292-300.
    16. Jing Wang & Gen Li & Kai-Lung Hui, 2022. "Monetary Incentives and Knowledge Spillover: Evidence from a Natural Experiment," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 68(5), pages 3549-3572, May.
    17. Neringa Ivanauskiene & Vilte Auruškeviciene & Vida Skudiene & Sarunas Nedzinskas, 2012. "Customer perceptions of value: case of retail banking," Organizations and Markets in Emerging Economies, Faculty of Economics, Vilnius University, vol. 3(1).
    18. Linardi, Sera & McConnell, Margaret A., 2011. "No excuses for good behavior: Volunteering and the social environment," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 95(5), pages 445-454.
    19. Zhenjiao Chen & Yaqing Liu, 2020. "The Effects of Leadership and Reward Policy on Employees’ Electricity Saving Behaviors: An Empirical Study in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-15, March.
    20. Mattauch, Linus & Hepburn, Cameron & Stern, Nicholas, 2018. "Pigou pushes preferences: decarbonisation and endogenous values," INET Oxford Working Papers 2018-16, Institute for New Economic Thinking at the Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:eneeco:v:124:y:2023:i:c:s0140988323002669. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/eneco .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.