IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v13y2020i12p3158-d373080.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Investigating the Interrelationships among Occupant Attitude, Knowledge and Behaviour in LEED-Certified Buildings Using Structural Equation Modelling

Author

Listed:
  • Mehreen Saleem Gul

    (Institute of Sustainable Building Design, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, UK)

  • Elmira NezamiFar

    (Centre for Construction and Engineering Technologies, George Brown College, Toronto, ON M5R 1M3, Canada)

Abstract

The proliferation of residential building energy consumption and CO 2 emissions has led many countries to develop buildings under the green rating systems umbrella. Many such buildings, however, fail to meet their designed energy performance, which is possibly attributable to occupant behaviour and unforeseen building usages. The research problem lies in the fact that occupant environmental behaviour is a complex socio-cultural-technical issue that needs to be addressed to achieve the desired energy savings. This study is novel as it investigates complex interrelationships between many observed and unobserved variables using data from four LEED-certified multi-residential buildings in the United Arab Emirates. Structural Equation Modelling was used to analyse the impact of three unobserved/latent variables: occupant environmental Attitude, Knowledge and Behaviour (AKB) with respect to occupant energy consumption, based on measured/observed variables. Although our Goodness-of-Fit values indicated that we achieved a good model fit, the interrelationship between Knowledge and Behaviour ( p = 0.557) and between Attitude and Behaviour ( p = 0.931) was insignificant, as the p -values > 0.05. The key study outcomes were: (i) providing information alone could not motivate people towards environmentally friendly behaviour; (ii) even changes in their attitude, belief and lifestyle were not significantly related to their behaviour, as the interrelationships among occupant environmental AKB were not significant; and (iii) knowledge and attitude change should be combined with other motivational factors to trigger environmentally friendly actions and influence behaviour.

Suggested Citation

  • Mehreen Saleem Gul & Elmira NezamiFar, 2020. "Investigating the Interrelationships among Occupant Attitude, Knowledge and Behaviour in LEED-Certified Buildings Using Structural Equation Modelling," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-26, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:12:p:3158-:d:373080
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/12/3158/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/12/3158/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lee, Lorraine & Petter, Stacie & Fayard, Dutch & Robinson, Shani, 2011. "On the use of partial least squares path modeling in accounting research," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 12(4), pages 305-328.
    2. Sarstedt, Marko & Ringle, Christian M. & Smith, Donna & Reams, Russell & Hair, Joseph F., 2014. "Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM): A useful tool for family business researchers," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 5(1), pages 105-115.
    3. D’Oca, Simona & Hong, Tianzhen & Langevin, Jared, 2018. "The human dimensions of energy use in buildings: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P1), pages 731-742.
    4. Rigdon, Edward E., 2016. "Choosing PLS path modeling as analytical method in European management research: A realist perspective," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 34(6), pages 598-605.
    5. AboulNaga, Mohsen M. & Elsheshtawy, Yasser H., 2001. "Environmental sustainability assessment of buildings in hot climates: the case of the UAE," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 24(3), pages 553-563.
    6. GhaffarianHoseini, AmirHosein & Dahlan, Nur Dalilah & Berardi, Umberto & GhaffarianHoseini, Ali & Makaremi, Nastaran & GhaffarianHoseini, Mahdiar, 2013. "Sustainable energy performances of green buildings: A review of current theories, implementations and challenges," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 25(C), pages 1-17.
    7. Seokho Kim & Yujin Song & Yoondong Sung & Donghyun Seo, 2019. "Development of a Consecutive Occupancy Estimation Framework for Improving the Energy Demand Prediction Performance of Building Energy Modeling Tools," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-21, January.
    8. John Hulland, 1999. "Use of partial least squares (PLS) in strategic management research: a review of four recent studies," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 20(2), pages 195-204, February.
    9. WeiYu Ji & Edwin H. W. Chan, 2019. "Critical Factors Influencing the Adoption of Smart Home Energy Technology in China: A Guangdong Province Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-24, November.
    10. Van Raaij, W. Fred & Verhallen, Theo M. M., 1983. "A behavioral model of residential energy use," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 3(1), pages 39-63.
    11. M. D. Mainul Islam & Olusegun Faniran, 2005. "Structural equation model of project planning effectiveness," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(2), pages 215-223.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Xu, Xiaoxiao & Yu, Hao & Sun, Qiuwen & Tam, Vivian W.Y., 2023. "A critical review of occupant energy consumption behavior in buildings: How we got here, where we are, and where we are headed," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).
    2. Inga-Lill Söderberg & Misse Wester & Agnieszka Zalejska Jonsson, 2022. "Exploring Factors Promoting Recycling Behavior in Student Housing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-16, April.
    3. Piselli, Cristina & Salvadori, Giacomo & Diciotti, Lorenzo & Fantozzi, Fabio & Pisello, Anna Laura, 2021. "Assessing users’ willingness-to-engagement towards Net Zero Energy communities in Italy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).

    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. WeiYu Ji & Edwin H. W. Chan, 2019. "Critical Factors Influencing the Adoption of Smart Home Energy Technology in China: A Guangdong Province Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-24, November.
    2. José Roberto Frega & Alex Antonio Ferraresi & Carlos Olavo Quandt & Claudimar Pereira da Veiga, 2018. "Relationships Among Knowledge Management, Organisational Innovativeness and Performance: Covariance-Based Versus Partial Least-Squares Structural Equation Modelling," Journal of Information & Knowledge Management (JIKM), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 17(01), pages 1-19, March.
    3. Christian Nitzl & Wynne W. Chin, 2017. "The case of partial least squares (PLS) path modeling in managerial accounting research," Journal of Management Control: Zeitschrift für Planung und Unternehmenssteuerung, Springer, vol. 28(2), pages 137-156, May.
    4. Jun-Hwa Cheah & Hiram Ting & T. Ramayah & Mumtaz Ali Memon & Tat-Huei Cham & Enrico Ciavolino, 2019. "A comparison of five reflective–formative estimation approaches: reconsideration and recommendations for tourism research," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 53(3), pages 1421-1458, May.
    5. Jiang Min & Shuja Iqbal & Muhammad Aamir Shafique Khan & Shamim Akhtar & Farooq Anwar & Sikandar Ali Qalati, 2020. "Impact of supervisory behavior on sustainable employee performance: Mediation of conflict management strategies using PLS-SEM," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(9), pages 1-20, September.
    6. Al-Baraa Abdulrahman Al-Mekhlafi & Ahmad Shahrul Nizam Isha & Nicholas Chileshe & Mohammed Abdulrab & Anwar Ameen Hezam Saeed & Ahmed Farouk Kineber, 2021. "Modelling the Relationship between the Nature of Work Factors and Driving Performance Mediating by Role of Fatigue," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-17, June.
    7. Baier-Fuentes, Hugo & Andrade-Valbuena, Nelson A. & Huertas Gonzalez-Serrano, Maria & Gaviria-Marin, Magaly, 2023. "Bricolage as an effective tool for the survival of owner-managed SMEs during crises," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    8. Asif Khan & Chih-Cheng Chen & Kwanrat Suanpong & Athapol Ruangkanjanases & Santhaya Kittikowit & Shih-Chih Chen, 2021. "The Impact of CSR on Sustainable Innovation Ambidexterity: The Mediating Role of Sustainable Supply Chain Management and Second-Order Social Capital," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-25, November.
    9. Diego Norena-Chavez, 2022. "Influence of SARS-CoV-2 on the Mediating Effect of Entrepreneurial Passion in the Relationship between Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy and Innovative Behavior," International Journal of Economics & Business Administration (IJEBA), International Journal of Economics & Business Administration (IJEBA), vol. 0(1), pages 125-139.
    10. Mahadzirah Mohamad & Asyraf Afthanorhan* & Zainudin Awang & Morliyati Mohammad, 2019. "Comparison Between CB-SEM and PLS-SEM: Testing and Confirming the Maqasid Syariah Quality of Life Measurement Model," The Journal of Social Sciences Research, Academic Research Publishing Group, vol. 5(3), pages 608-614, 03-2019.
    11. Gazi Md. Shakhawat Hossain & Md. Nayem Hossen & Md. Sharifur Rahman & Maruf Hasan, 2019. "Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) Approach to Examining the Factors’ Affecting Work Life Balance among Female Teachers’: An Empirical Study," International Journal of Science and Business, IJSAB International, vol. 3(6), pages 140-152.
    12. Oksana Seroka‐Stolka, 2023. "Towards sustainability: An environmental strategy choice, environmental performance, and the moderating role of stakeholder pressure," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(8), pages 5992-6007, December.
    13. Luigino Barisan & Marco Lucchetta & Cristian Bolzonella & Vasco Boatto, 2019. "How Does Carbon Footprint Create Shared Values in the Wine Industry? Empirical Evidence from Prosecco Superiore PDO’s Wine District," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-13, May.
    14. Jean-Marie Nkongolo-Bakenda & Elie V. Chrysostome, 2020. "Exploring the organizing and strategic factors of diasporic transnational entrepreneurs in Canada: An empirical study," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 18(3), pages 336-372, September.
    15. Pérez Granero, Luis & Guillén, Manuel & Bañón-Gomis, Alexis J., 2017. "Influencia de los factores de contingencia en el desarrollo del cuadro de mando integral y su asociación con un rendimiento mejor. El caso de las empresas españolas," Revista de Contabilidad - Spanish Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 20(1), pages 82-94.
    16. Ahmed Farouk Kineber & Shah Siddharth & Nicholas Chileshe & Badr Alsolami & Mohammed Magdy Hamed, 2022. "Addressing of Value Management Implementation Barriers within the Indian Construction Industry: A PLS-SEM Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-24, December.
    17. Qadeer Ali & Muhammad Jamaluddin Thaheem & Fahim Ullah & Samad M. E. Sepasgozar, 2020. "The Performance Gap in Energy-Efficient Office Buildings: How the Occupants Can Help?," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-27, March.
    18. Michels, Marius & Bonke, Vanessa & Wever, Hendrik & Musshoff, Oliver, 2024. "Understanding farmers' intention to buy alternative fuel tractors in German agriculture applying the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 203(C).
    19. Inga Hardeck & J. William Harden & David R. Upton, 2021. "Consumer Reactions to Tax Avoidance: Evidence from the United States and Germany," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 170(1), pages 75-96, April.
    20. Sleimi, Mohammad Tahseen & Emeagwali, Okechukwu Lawrence, 2017. "Do employee attitudes mediate the relationship between strategic human resource management practices and organizational effectiveness? A SEM based investigation using SMART-PLS software," Business and Economic Horizons (BEH), Prague Development Center (PRADEC), vol. 13(1).

    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:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:12:p:3158-:d:373080. 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: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    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.