IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v15y2023i8p6848-d1126839.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Influence of Cultural Factors on Choosing Low-Emission Passenger Cars

Author

Listed:
  • Ioana Ancuta Iancu

    (Aero-Thermo-Mechanics, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, 1050 Bruxelles, Belgium)

  • Patrick Hendrick

    (Aero-Thermo-Mechanics, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, 1050 Bruxelles, Belgium)

  • Dan Doru Micu

    (Electrotechnics and Measurement, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Denisa Stet

    (Electrotechnics and Measurement, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Levente Czumbil

    (Electrotechnics and Measurement, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Stefan Dragos Cirstea

    (Power Systems and Management, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

Abstract

The decrease in greenhouse gas emissions by passenger cars is one of the key factors for climate protection measures. Besides EU strategies for low-emission mobility, policy makers must consider the behavioural factors of buyers. This study aims to cover this gap by investigating the relation between the national cultural dimensions (Hofstede model) and car adoption by fuel type in EU countries. This could help car sellers to find better solutions for advertising cars with medium and low greenhouse gas emissions. To find better ways to increase the usage of medium- and low-emission cars using targeted advertising, correlations and a multiple regression analysis were used. The results show that the consumer preference for one type of fuel is correlated with at least one of Hofstede’s six cultural dimensions: the power distance index; individualism versus collectivism; masculinity versus femininity; the uncertainty avoidance index; long-term orientation versus short-term normative orientation; indulgence versus restraint. The major conclusion of the study underlines that, with increases in the individualism versus collectivism and indulgence versus restraint scores, the usage of low- and medium-emission cars also increases, and with the increase in the power distance and uncertainty avoidance index, the usage of low- and medium emission cars decreases. At the same time, the driving preference for low- and medium-emission vehicles decreases with the tendency towards collectivism and restraint of EU countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Ioana Ancuta Iancu & Patrick Hendrick & Dan Doru Micu & Denisa Stet & Levente Czumbil & Stefan Dragos Cirstea, 2023. "The Influence of Cultural Factors on Choosing Low-Emission Passenger Cars," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-18, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:8:p:6848-:d:1126839
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/8/6848/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/8/6848/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Adrián Saldarriaga-Isaza, C. & Vergara, Carlos, 2009. "Who switches to hybrids? A study of a fuel conversion program in Colombia," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 43(5), pages 572-579, June.
    2. Denni Arli & Fandy Tjiptono, 2014. "The End of Religion? Examining the Role of Religiousness, Materialism, and Long-Term Orientation on Consumer Ethics in Indonesia," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 123(3), pages 385-400, September.
    3. Enzmann, J. & Ringel, M., 2020. "Reducing Road Transport Emissions in Europe: Investigating A Demand Side Driven Approach," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 125152, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
    4. Seong-Gak Lee & Hyeon-Jin Jo & Dong-Woo Koo & Sae-Mi Lee, 2022. "Conceptual Similarities and Empirical Differences in Theoretical Approaches to Personal Values and Cultural Values Predicting Pro-Environmental Behavior in Hospitality and Tourism," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-19, November.
    5. Bradley L Kirkman & Kevin B Lowe & Cristina B Gibson, 2006. "A quarter century of Culture's Consequences: a review of empirical research incorporating Hofstede's cultural values framework," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 37(3), pages 285-320, May.
    6. Johannes Enzmann & Marc Ringel, 2020. "Reducing Road Transport Emissions in Europe: Investigating A Demand Side Driven Approach †," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-31, September.
    7. Damert, Matthias & Rudolph, Frederic, 2018. "Policy options for a decarbonisation of passenger cars in the EU: Recommendations based on a literature review," Wuppertal Papers 193, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy.
    8. Brito, Thiago Luis Felipe & Islam, Towhidul & Stettler, Marc & Mouette, Dominique & Meade, Nigel & Moutinho dos Santos, Edmilson, 2019. "Transitions between technological generations of alternative fuel vehicles in Brazil," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    9. Jacek Pielecha & Kinga Skobiej & Karolina Kurtyka, 2020. "Exhaust Emissions and Energy Consumption Analysis of Conventional, Hybrid, and Electric Vehicles in Real Driving Cycles," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-21, December.
    10. Soares, Ana Maria & Farhangmehr, Minoo & Shoham, Aviv, 2007. "Hofstede's dimensions of culture in international marketing studies," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 60(3), pages 277-284, March.
    11. Maarten Messagie & Faycal-Siddikou Boureima & Thierry Coosemans & Cathy Macharis & Joeri Van Mierlo, 2014. "A Range-Based Vehicle Life Cycle Assessment Incorporating Variability in the Environmental Assessment of Different Vehicle Technologies and Fuels," Energies, MDPI, vol. 7(3), pages 1-16, March.
    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. Bradley L Kirkman & Kevin B Lowe & Cristina B Gibson, 2017. "A retrospective on Culture’s Consequences: The 35-year journey," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 48(1), pages 12-29, January.
    2. Carmen Callao & M. Pilar Latorre & Margarita Martinez-Núñez, 2021. "Understanding Hazardous Waste Exports for Disposal in Europe: A Contribution to Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-14, August.
    3. Saleem Rahman & Agnieszka Chwialkowska & Nazim Hussain & Waheed Akbar Bhatti & Harri Luomala, 2023. "Cross-cultural perspective on sustainable consumption: implications for consumer motivations and promotion," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(2), pages 997-1016, February.
    4. Jasna Auer Antoncic & Bostjan Antoncic & Matjaz Gantar & Robert D. Hisrich & Lawrence J. Marks & Alexandre A. Bachkirov & Zhaoyang Li & Pierre Polzin & Jose L. Borges & Antonio Coelho & Marja-Liisa Ka, 2018. "Risk-Taking Propensity and Entrepreneurship: The Role of Power Distance," Journal of Enterprising Culture (JEC), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 26(01), pages 1-26, March.
    5. Kiril Dimitrov, 2014. "Geert Hofstede et al’s Set of National Cultural Dimensions - Popularity and Criticisms," Economic Alternatives, University of National and World Economy, Sofia, Bulgaria, issue 2, pages 30-60, April.
    6. Anneli Kaasa & Maaja Vadi & Urmas Varblane, 2014. "Regional Cultural Differences Within European Countries: Evidence from Multi-Country Surveys," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 54(6), pages 825-852, December.
    7. Xiaoyu Deng & Jing Tian & Rong Chen, 2019. "Effect of Social Security System on Consumption through Income and Uncertainty: Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-16, March.
    8. Mengmeng Qiang & Manhong Shen & Huiming Xie, 2019. "Cultural diffusion and international inbound tourism: Evidence from China," Tourism Economics, , vol. 25(6), pages 884-903, September.
    9. Forgas-Coll, Santiago & Palau-Saumell, Ramon & Sánchez-García, Javier & Callarisa-Fiol, Luís J., 2012. "Urban destination loyalty drivers and cross-national moderator effects: The case of Barcelona," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 33(6), pages 1309-1320.
    10. Karol Tucki, 2021. "A Computer Tool for Modelling CO 2 Emissions in Driving Cycles for Spark Ignition Engines Powered by Biofuels," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-33, March.
    11. Đurđica Stojanović & Jelena Ivetić & Marko Veličković, 2021. "Assessment of International Trade-Related Transport CO 2 Emissions—A Logistics Responsibility Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-15, January.
    12. Kaasa, Anneli & Vadi, Maaja & Varblane, Urmas, 2016. "A new dataset of cultural distances for European countries and regions," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 37(C), pages 231-241.
    13. Xu, Shichun & Hao, Andy, 2021. "Understanding the impact of national culture on firms’ benefit-seeking behaviors in international B2B relationships: A conceptual model and research propositions," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 27-37.
    14. Wojciech Cieslik & Filip Szwajca & Wojciech Golimowski & Andrew Berger, 2021. "Experimental Analysis of Residential Photovoltaic (PV) and Electric Vehicle (EV) Systems in Terms of Annual Energy Utilization," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-21, February.
    15. Michéle Weisbach & Tobias Schneider & Dominik Maune & Heiko Fechtner & Utz Spaeth & Ralf Wegener & Stefan Soter & Benedikt Schmuelling, 2021. "Intelligent Multi-Vehicle DC/DC Charging Station Powered by a Trolley Bus Catenary Grid," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-21, December.
    16. Svetozar Slobodan Sofijanic & Sinisa Milos Arsic & Dragutin Jovanovic & Milos Zivko Arsic & Safet Kalac & Zoran Ribaric & Dragan Kostadinovic & Velibor Peulic & Dragana Rosulj & Tibor Fazekas & Srdjan, 2021. "Influence of Business-Operational Performances and Company Size on CO 2 Emissions Decrease-Case of Serbian Road Transport Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-19, July.
    17. Shaohua Yang & Salmi Mohd Isa & T. Ramayah, 2021. "Uncertainty Avoidance as a Moderating Factor to the Self-Congruity Concept: The Development of a Conceptual Framework," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(1), pages 21582440211, March.
    18. Mohammed, Abubakar Gambo & Elfeky, Karem Elsayed & Wang, Qiuwang, 2022. "Recent advancement and enhanced battery performance using phase change materials based hybrid battery thermal management for electric vehicles," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    19. Yadong Luo & Huan Zhang & Juan Bu, 2019. "Developed country MNEs investing in developing economies: Progress and prospect," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 50(4), pages 633-667, June.
    20. Kley, Fabian & Lerch, Christian & Dallinger, David, 2011. "New business models for electric cars--A holistic approach," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(6), pages 3392-3403, June.

    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:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:8:p:6848-:d:1126839. 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.