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Does relationship matter? How social distance influences perceptions of responsibility on anthropomorphized environmental objects and conservation intentions

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  • Zhu, Huawei
  • Wong, Nancy
  • Huang, Minxue

Abstract

This research explores how perceived social distance impacts the effect of anthropomorphizing the environment on downstream conservation intentions. In three empirical studies, we investigated the mediating effects of perceived weakness and perceived responsibility, as well as the moderating effect of power, on the relationship between social roles and conservation intentions.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhu, Huawei & Wong, Nancy & Huang, Minxue, 2019. "Does relationship matter? How social distance influences perceptions of responsibility on anthropomorphized environmental objects and conservation intentions," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 62-70.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:95:y:2019:i:c:p:62-70
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2018.10.008
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    3. Yiping Yang & Le Sun & Buxin Han & Pingping Liu, 2023. "The Trajectory of Anthropomorphism and Pro-Environmental Behavior: A Serial Mediation Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-19, January.
    4. Dan Yue & Zepeng Tong & Jianchi Tian & Yang Li & Linxiu Zhang & Yan Sun, 2021. "Anthropomorphic Strategies Promote Wildlife Conservation through Empathy: The Moderation Role of the Public Epidemic Situation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-14, March.
    5. Abida Begum & Liu Jingwei & Imran Ullah Khan Marwat & Salim Khan & Heesup Han & Antonio Ariza-Montes, 2021. "Evaluating the Impact of Environmental Education on Ecologically Friendly Behavior of University Students in Pakistan: The Roles of Environmental Responsibility and Islamic Values," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-17, September.
    6. Genovaitė Liobikienė & Mykolas Simas Poškus, 2019. "The Importance of Environmental Knowledge for Private and Public Sphere Pro-Environmental Behavior: Modifying the Value-Belief-Norm Theory," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-19, June.
    7. Wang, Lili & Kim, Sara & Zhou, Xinyue, 2023. "Money in a “Safe” place: Money anthropomorphism increases saving behavior," International Journal of Research in Marketing, Elsevier, vol. 40(1), pages 88-108.
    8. 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.
    9. Audronė Minelgaitė & Genovaitė Liobikienė, 2021. "Changes in pro-environmental behaviour and its determinants during long-term period in a transition country as Lithuania," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(11), pages 16083-16099, November.

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