Determinants of consumers’ intention to participate in automobile recalls for environmental defects: using an extended theory of planned behavior

Consumers’ participation in automobile recalls for environmental defects (ARED) can enhance the recall’s completion rate, reduce vehicle exhaust emissions, and improve air quality. This study investigates consumers’ intention to participate in ARED on the basis of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and extends it by adding the constructs of perceived environmental benefits, personal benefits, and personal costs. A total of 628 respondents participated in the online questionnaire survey, and a structural equation model was adopted to analyze the collected data. Results show that perceived behavioral control and positive attitude toward participating in ARED positively affect consumers’ participation intention. Attitude is mainly explained by perceived environmental benefits, whereas subjective norm is mainly explained by perceived environmental and personal benefits. On the basis of these results, we provide some implications to motivate consumers to participate in ARED.