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The New Ecological Paradigm, Pro-Environmental Behaviour, and the Moderating Effects of Locus of Control and Self-Construal

Author

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  • Lukasz Andrzej Derdowski

    (The Norwegian School of Hotel Management, University of Stavanger, 4036 Stavanger, Norway)

  • Åsa Helen Grahn

    (The Norwegian School of Hotel Management, University of Stavanger, 4036 Stavanger, Norway)

  • Håvard Hansen

    (The Norwegian School of Hotel Management, University of Stavanger, 4036 Stavanger, Norway)

  • Heidi Skeiseid

    (The Norwegian School of Hotel Management, University of Stavanger, 4036 Stavanger, Norway)

Abstract

Acquiring a better understanding of what drives pro-environmental and sustainable behaviour is important for both researchers and practitioners alike. The purpose of this paper is to explore the moderating role of locus of control and self-construal on the relationship between pro-environmental beliefs and pro-environmental consumer behaviour. We explicitly model the endorsement of the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) as a predictor of three specific types of environmental behaviour—travel, purchasing and day to day activities. The results show a positive and significant association between the endorsement of NEP and a person’s pro-environmental traveling behaviour, purchasing behaviour and day to day activities. Moreover, we find that the effects are moderated by a person’s locus of control, specifically, it remains positive and significant only for people with an internal locus of control. However, we found no moderating effect of a person’s self-construal on the association between NEP and pro-environmental behaviour. The findings are important in the continuing work to understand what is limiting consumers to behave according to their beliefs. Practical and theoretical implications of the results as well as suggestions for future research are presented.

Suggested Citation

  • Lukasz Andrzej Derdowski & Åsa Helen Grahn & Håvard Hansen & Heidi Skeiseid, 2020. "The New Ecological Paradigm, Pro-Environmental Behaviour, and the Moderating Effects of Locus of Control and Self-Construal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-15, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:18:p:7728-:d:415573
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Shiva Ghorban Nejad & Håvard Hansen, 2021. "Environmentally Motivated Travel Reduction: The Effects of Availability, Herding Bias, and Self-Monitoring," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-14, January.
    2. Marjolein C. J. Caniëls & Wim Lambrechts & Johannes (Joost) Platje & Anna Motylska-Kuźma & Bartosz Fortuński, 2021. "50 Shades of Green: Insights into Personal Values and Worldviews as Drivers of Green Purchasing Intention, Behaviour, and Experience," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-18, April.
    3. Kathleen Rodenburg & Kelly MacDonald, 2021. "Enhancing Business Schools’ Pedagogy on Sustainable Business Practices and Ethical Decision-Making," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-26, May.
    4. Rūtenis Jančius & Algirdas Gavenauskas & Antanas Ūsas, 2021. "The Influence of Values and the Social Environment on the Environmental Attitudes of Students: The Case of Lithuania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-22, October.
    5. Toti, Jean-François & Diallo, Mbaye Fall & Huaman-Ramirez, Richard, 2021. "Ethical sensitivity in consumers’ decision-making: The mediating and moderating role of internal locus of control," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 168-182.

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