IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v18y2025i9p2169-d1641041.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Understanding People’s Intentions Towards the Adoption of Biogas Technology: Applying the Diffusion of Innovation Theory and the Theory of Planned Behavior

Author

Listed:
  • Regina Kulugomba

    (Department of Physics and Biochemical Sciences, Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS), Private Bag 303, Blantyre 312225, Malawi)

  • Harold W. T. Mapoma

    (Department of Physics and Biochemical Sciences, Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS), Private Bag 303, Blantyre 312225, Malawi)

  • Gregory Gamula

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, School of Engineering, Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS), Private Bag 303, Blantyre 312225, Malawi)

  • Stanley Mlatho

    (Department of Physics and Electronics, University of Malawi, P.O. Box 280, Zomba 305205, Malawi)

  • Richard Blanchard

    (Centre for Renewable Energy and Science and Technology (CREST), Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK)

Abstract

The objective of the study was to investigate factors that influence people’s intentions to adopt biogas technology in Malawi. The study adopted variables of the diffusion of innovation theory (DIT) (relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, and observability) and the theory of planned behavior (TPB) (subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and attitude) to assess the intention. The study utilized a quantitative methodology, gathering primary data from 98 potential biogas adopters in five districts in Malawi using a questionnaire with a five-point Likert scale. After data collection, a reliability test was conducted to determine the questionnaire’s reliability. A multiple regression analysis was performed to establish the relationship between independent and dependent variables. The subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and attitude were taken as independent variables while the intention to adopt biogas technology was the dependent variable. The study’s results indicated that only compatibility and subjective norms were significant predictors and independently contributed to predicting the individuals’ intentions to adopt biogas technology. This will assist policy makers to provide technologies that will be compatible to people’s culture and lifestyle, hence preventing the wasting of resources. At the same time, the involvement of important people in society will help to raise awareness of the importance of biogas technology.

Suggested Citation

  • Regina Kulugomba & Harold W. T. Mapoma & Gregory Gamula & Stanley Mlatho & Richard Blanchard, 2025. "Understanding People’s Intentions Towards the Adoption of Biogas Technology: Applying the Diffusion of Innovation Theory and the Theory of Planned Behavior," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-13, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:9:p:2169-:d:1641041
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/9/2169/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/9/2169/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Walekhwa, Peter N. & Mugisha, Johnny & Drake, Lars, 2009. "Biogas energy from family-sized digesters in Uganda: Critical factors and policy implications," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(7), pages 2754-2762, July.
    2. Jan, Inayatullah & Akram, Waqar, 2018. "Willingness of rural communities to adopt biogas systems in Pakistan: Critical factors and policy implications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P2), pages 3178-3185.
    3. Olshavsky, Richard W & Granbois, Donald H, 1979. "Consumer Decision Making-Fact or Fiction?," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 6(2), pages 93-100, Se.
    4. Ajzen, Icek, 1991. "The theory of planned behavior," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 50(2), pages 179-211, December.
    5. Regina Kulugomba & Harold W. T. Mapoma & Gregory Gamula & Richard Blanchard & Stanley Mlatho, 2024. "Opportunities and Barriers to Biogas Adoption in Malawi," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-11, May.
    6. French, David, 1986. "Confronting an unsolvable problem: Deforestation in Malawi," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 14(4), pages 531-540, April.
    7. Anas A. Makki & Ibrahim Mosly, 2020. "Factors Affecting Public Willingness to Adopt Renewable Energy Technologies: An Exploratory Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-11, January.
    8. William Philip Wall & Bilal Khalid & Mariusz Urbański & Michal Kot, 2021. "Factors Influencing Consumer’s Adoption of Renewable Energy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-19, August.
    9. Caleb Wright & Roger Sathre & Shashi Buluswar, 2020. "The global challenge of clean cooking systems," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 12(6), pages 1219-1240, December.
    10. Karekezi, Stephen, 2002. "Renewables in Africa--meeting the energy needs of the poor," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 30(11-12), pages 1059-1069, September.
    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. Litvine, Dorian & Gazull, Laurent & Dabat, Marie-Hélène, 2014. "Assessing the potential demand for biofuel by combining Economics and Psychology: A focus on proximity applied to Jatropha oil in Africa," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 85-95.
    2. Syed M Amir & Yonggong Liu & Ashfaq A Shah & Umer Khayyam & Zafar Mahmood, 2020. "Empirical study on influencing factors of biogas technology adoption in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan," Energy & Environment, , vol. 31(2), pages 308-329, March.
    3. Swantje Sundt, 2021. "Influence of Attitudes on Willingness to Choose Time-of-Use Electricity Tariffs in Germany. Evidence from Factor Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-20, August.
    4. Uhunamure, S.E. & Nethengwe, N.S. & Tinarwo, D., 2019. "Correlating the factors influencing household decisions on adoption and utilisation of biogas technology in South Africa," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 264-273.
    5. Okello, Collins & Pindozzi, Stefania & Faugno, Salvatore & Boccia, Lorenzo, 2013. "Development of bioenergy technologies in Uganda: A review of progress," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 18(C), pages 55-63.
    6. Hadi Fazeli & Mohammad Sadegh Allahyari & Saeid Firouzi & Tarek Ben Hassen & Jhalukpreya Surujlal & Nima Nejadrezaei & Mina Sadeghzadeh, 2023. "Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception of Students Regarding Renewable Energies in Agriculture in Guilan, Iran," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-16, August.
    7. Kelebe, Haftu Etsay & Ayimut, Kiros Meles & Berhe, Gebresilasse Hailu & Hintsa, Kidane, 2017. "Determinants for adoption decision of small scale biogas technology by rural households in Tigray, Ethiopia," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 272-278.
    8. Organ, Kate & Koenig-Lewis, Nicole & Palmer, Adrian & Probert, Jane, 2015. "Festivals as agents for behaviour change: A study of food festival engagement and subsequent food choices," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 84-99.
    9. Shim, Soyeon & Serido, Joyce & Tang, Chuanyi, 2012. "The ant and the grasshopper revisited: The present psychological benefits of saving and future oriented financial behaviors," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 33(1), pages 155-165.
    10. Tigabu, Aschalew Demeke & Berkhout, Frans & van Beukering, Pieter, 2015. "The diffusion of a renewable energy technology and innovation system functioning: Comparing bio-digestion in Kenya and Rwanda," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 90(PA), pages 331-345.
    11. Bilal Khalid & Mariusz Urbański & Monika Kowalska-Sudyka & Elżbieta Wysłocka & Barbara Piontek, 2021. "Evaluating Consumers’ Adoption of Renewable Energy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-15, November.
    12. Jan, Inayatullah & Akram, Waqar, 2018. "Willingness of rural communities to adopt biogas systems in Pakistan: Critical factors and policy implications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P2), pages 3178-3185.
    13. Kabir, Humayun & Yegbemey, Rosaine N. & Bauer, Siegfried, 2013. "Factors determinant of biogas adoption in Bangladesh," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 28(C), pages 881-889.
    14. Mukeshimana, Marie Claire & Zhao, Zhen-Yu & Ahmad, Munir & Irfan, Muhammad, 2021. "Analysis on barriers to biogas dissemination in Rwanda: AHP approach," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 1127-1137.
    15. Maria Andersson & Ola Eriksson & Chris Von Borgstede, 2012. "The Effects of Environmental Management Systems on Source Separation in the Work and Home Settings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 4(6), pages 1-17, June.
    16. Tran Huy Phuong & Thanh Trung Hieu, 2015. "Predictors of Entrepreneurial Intentions of Undergraduate Students in Vietnam: An Empirical Study," International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, Human Resource Management Academic Research Society, International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, vol. 5(8), pages 46-55, August.
    17. Peng Cheng & Zhe Ouyang & Yang Liu, 0. "The effect of information overload on the intention of consumers to adopt electric vehicles," Transportation, Springer, vol. 0, pages 1-20.
    18. Alsalem, Amani & Fry, Marie-Louise & Thaichon, Park, 2020. "To donate or to waste it: Understanding posthumous organ donation attitude," Australasian marketing journal, Elsevier, vol. 28(3), pages 87-97.
    19. Mohammed Akhmaaj, Asmaeil Ali & Sharif, Mohamed Omar, 2024. "The effects of planned behavior model constructs and technology acceptance model constructs on online purchasing behavior: An empirical study on internet users in the Libya city of Tripoli," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    20. Benoît Lécureux & Adrien Bonnet & Ouassim Manout & Jaâfar Berrada & Louafi Bouzouina, 2022. "Acceptance of Shared Autonomous Vehicles: A Literature Review of stated choice experiments," Working Papers hal-03814947, HAL.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    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:18:y:2025:i:9:p:2169-:d:1641041. 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.