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Does Nationality Matter in Eco-Behaviour?

Author

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  • Michelle Bonera

    () (Economics and Management, University of Brescia, 25121 Brescia, Italy)

  • Elisabetta Corvi

    () (Economics and Management, University of Brescia, 25121 Brescia, Italy)

  • Anna Paola Codini

    () (Economics and Management, University of Brescia, 25121 Brescia, Italy)

  • Ruijing Ma

    () (School of Business and Administrations, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan 430073, China)

Abstract

Although many authors agree on the role of personal values in explaining the main determinants of eco-behaviour, disagreement about the effects of socio-demographic features exists, particularly about the effect of nationality. In an attempt to fill this gap in the literature, this paper contributes to the debate surrounding the main determinants of eco-behaviour, based on a cross-country analysis. To test the role of nationality and personal values in eco-behaviour, a linear regression model involving 353 Chinese and 333 Italian subjects was performed. A stepwise analysis was then conducted to identify the main significant effects. The explorative and stepwise analyses confirmed that nationality is significant when explaining individual eco-behaviour, for both Italian and Chinese people. Moreover, the linear regression model, as a stepwise analysis, showed that regulatory focus and universalism are the main personal values influencing ecological behaviour. Differences emerging from the analysis show significant differences in terms of eco-behaviour and eco-awareness, for the two countries involved in the analysis, that might lead companies to adopt different marketing strategies when promoting eco-products.

Suggested Citation

  • Michelle Bonera & Elisabetta Corvi & Anna Paola Codini & Ruijing Ma, 2017. "Does Nationality Matter in Eco-Behaviour?," Sustainability, MDPI, Open Access Journal, vol. 9(10), pages 1-17, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:10:p:1694-:d:112857
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Dong Woo Ko & Young Han Bae & Jayoung Han, 2018. "Social Exclusion and Switching Barriers in Medicare Part D Choices," Sustainability, MDPI, Open Access Journal, vol. 10(7), pages 1-10, July.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    eco-behaviour; eco-awareness; eco-responsibility; nationality; personal values; cross-national study;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics
    • Q0 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General
    • Q2 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation
    • Q3 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Nonrenewable Resources and Conservation
    • Q5 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth
    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products

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