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Searching for New Directions for Energy Policy: Testing the Cross-Effect of Risk Perception and Cyberspace Factors on Online/Offline Opposition to Nuclear Energy in South Korea

Author

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  • Jaesun Wang

    (Department of Public Administration, Honam University, Eodeung-daero 417, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju 62399, Korea)

  • Seoyong Kim

    (Department of Public Administration, Ajou University, Worldcup-ro 206, Suwon 16499, Korea)

Abstract

In the internet age, a considerable amount of information about risk events and objects is shared in cyberspace. Since online and offline spaces are not discrete, there is a cross-effect in which perceptual or attitudinal factors in cyberspace influence offline actions, while offline attitudes affect online actions. However, few studies have examined this cross-effect. In the present study, the intention to engage in online or offline behaviors opposing nuclear energy was the dependent variable. The independent variables included risk perception factors (i.e., perceived risk, perceived benefit, trust, knowledge, and stigma) in the risk perception paradigm, and cyber factors (i.e., self-efficacy in cyberspace, involvement on the internet, trust in cyberspace, conformity to online opinion, and belief in online rumors) in the cyberpsychology paradigm. Our findings offer evidence for the cross-effect of online or offline predictors on online/offline behaviors opposing nuclear energy. All the variables in the cyberspace paradigm influenced offline opposition, while those in the risk perception paradigm affected online opposition. Moreover, the five online-related risk perception variables played a significant role in moderating the relationships of predictors in the risk perception paradigm with offline opposition.

Suggested Citation

  • Jaesun Wang & Seoyong Kim, 2019. "Searching for New Directions for Energy Policy: Testing the Cross-Effect of Risk Perception and Cyberspace Factors on Online/Offline Opposition to Nuclear Energy in South Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-26, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:5:p:1368-:d:211184
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Seoyong Kim & Seol A. Kwon & Jae Eun Lee & Byeong-Cheol Ahn & Ju Ho Lee & Chen An & Keiko Kitagawa & Dohyeong Kim & Jaesun Wang, 2020. "Analyzing the Role of Resource Factors in Citizens’ Intention to Pay for and Participate in Disaster Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-25, April.
    2. Geunsik Kim & Seoyong Kim & Eunjung Hwang, 2021. "Searching for Evidence-Based Public Policy and Practice: Analysis of the Determinants of Personal/Public Adaptation and Mitigation Behavior against Particulate Matter by Focusing on the Roles of Risk ," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-22, January.
    3. Byoung Joon Kim & Seoyong Kim & Sunhee Kim, 2020. "Searching for New Directions for Energy Policy: Testing Three Causal Models of Risk Perception, Attitude, and Behavior in Nuclear Energy Context," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-17, October.
    4. Yoonjung Oh & Seoyong Kim & Sohee Kim, 2022. "Searching for New Human Behavior Model in Explaining Energy Transition: Exploring the Impact of Value and Perception Factors on Inconsistency of Attitude toward Policy Support and Intention to Pay for," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-26, September.
    5. Seoyong Kim & Sunhee Kim, 2020. "The Crisis of Public Health and Infodemic: Analyzing Belief Structure of Fake News about COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-23, November.
    6. Seoyong Kim & Sunhee Kim, 2020. "Searching for General Model of Conspiracy Theories and Its Implication for Public Health Policy: Analysis of the Impacts of Political, Psychological, Structural Factors on Conspiracy Beliefs about the," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-28, December.
    7. Sunhee Kim & Seoyong Kim, 2020. "Analysis of the Impact of Health Beliefs and Resource Factors on Preventive Behaviors against the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-21, November.
    8. Seol-A Kwon & Seoyong Kim & Jae Eun Lee, 2019. "Analyzing the Determinants of Individual Action on Climate Change by Specifying the Roles of Six Values in South Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-24, March.

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