IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/endesu/v24y2022i11d10.1007_s10668-021-01960-6.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Does environmental concern fail to predict energy-saving behavior? A study on the office energy-saving behavior of employees of Chinese Internet companies

Author

Listed:
  • Xingjun Ru

    (Hangzhou Dianzi University)

  • Min Chen

    (Zhejiang Financial College)

  • Shanyong Wang

    (School of Public Affairs, University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Zhenling Chen

    (Beijing Technology and Business University)

Abstract

While environmental concern is generally viewed as a straightforward precursor to pro-environmental behavior (PEB), empirical research supporting this association has been mixed at best. The energy-saving behavior of employees in the workplace contributes to the reduction of air pollution and carbon emissions, and there is basically no need to consider individual utilitarian factors in PEB-related research. Therefore, this study investigates the direct and indirect effects of environmental concerns on employees’ behavioral intentions to save energy in the offices of Chinese Internet companies to better understand the inconsistent results found for environmental concern and PEB. A study of a sample of 364 employees in three Chinese developed cities shows that perceived behavioral control has the greatest direct impact on employees’ energy-saving behavior in offices, followed by energy-saving attitudes, personal moral norm and subjective descriptive norms. The direct effects of environmental concern and subjective injunctive norms on behavioral intentions to save energy were found to be small. However, environmental concern, as an antecedent variable to the above elements, can have a significant impact on employees’ office energy-saving behaviors through the mediating role of these elements, thus rendering employees’ environmental concern deserving of more attention. This study enhances understanding of employees’ energy-saving behaviors in the workplace and provides several insights for researchers and practitioners.

Suggested Citation

  • Xingjun Ru & Min Chen & Shanyong Wang & Zhenling Chen, 2022. "Does environmental concern fail to predict energy-saving behavior? A study on the office energy-saving behavior of employees of Chinese Internet companies," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(11), pages 12691-12711, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:24:y:2022:i:11:d:10.1007_s10668-021-01960-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-021-01960-6
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10668-021-01960-6
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s10668-021-01960-6?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lizin, Sebastien & Van Dael, Miet & Van Passel, Steven, 2017. "Battery pack recycling: Behaviour change interventions derived from an integrative theory of planned behaviour study," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 66-82.
    2. Ajzen, Icek, 1991. "The theory of planned behavior," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 50(2), pages 179-211, December.
    3. Kaveh Ostad-Ali-Askari & Mohammad Shayannejad, 2021. "Quantity and quality modelling of groundwater to manage water resources in Isfahan-Borkhar Aquifer," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(11), pages 15943-15959, November.
    4. Wang, Bo & Wang, Xiaomeng & Guo, Dongxue & Zhang, Bin & Wang, Zhaohua, 2018. "Analysis of factors influencing residents’ habitual energy-saving behaviour based on NAM and TPB models: Egoism or altruism?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 68-77.
    5. He, Zhiyuan & Hong, Tianzhen & Chou, S.K., 2021. "A framework for estimating the energy-saving potential of occupant behaviour improvement," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 287(C).
    6. Armstrong, J. Scott & Overton, Terry S., 1977. "Estimating Nonresponse Bias in Mail Surveys," MPRA Paper 81694, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    7. McAndrew, Ryan & Mulcahy, Rory & Gordon, Ross & Russell-Bennett, Rebekah, 2021. "Household energy efficiency interventions: A systematic literature review," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    8. Shanyong Wang & Jin Fan & Dingtao Zhao & Shu Yang & Yuanguang Fu, 2016. "Predicting consumers’ intention to adopt hybrid electric vehicles: using an extended version of the theory of planned behavior model," Transportation, Springer, vol. 43(1), pages 123-143, January.
    9. Shanyong Wang & Jin Fan & Dingtao Zhao & Shu Yang & Yuanguang Fu, 2016. "Predicting consumers’ intention to adopt hybrid electric vehicles: using an extended version of the theory of planned behavior model," Transportation, Springer, vol. 43(1), pages 123-143, January.
    10. Mi, Lingyun & Xu, Ting & Sun, Yuhuan & Yang, Hang & Wang, Bangjun & Gan, Xiaoli & Qiao, Lijie, 2021. "Promoting differentiated energy savings: Analysis of the psychological motivation of households with different energy consumption levels," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).
    11. repec:ucp:bkecon:9780226316529 is not listed on IDEAS
    12. Newton, Joshua D. & Tsarenko, Yelena & Ferraro, Carla & Sands, Sean, 2015. "Environmental concern and environmental purchase intentions: The mediating role of learning strategy," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 68(9), pages 1974-1981.
    13. Jakučionytė-Skodienė, Miglė & Dagiliūtė, Renata & Liobikienė, Genovaitė, 2020. "Do general pro-environmental behaviour, attitude, and knowledge contribute to energy savings and climate change mitigation in the residential sector?," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    14. Reinartz, Werner & Haenlein, Michael & Henseler, Jörg, 2009. "An empirical comparison of the efficacy of covariance-based and variance-based SEM," International Journal of Research in Marketing, Elsevier, vol. 26(4), pages 332-344.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Lin, Boqiang & Lan, Tianxu, 2023. "Progress of increasing-block electricity pricing policy implementation in China's first-tier cities and the impact of resident policy perception," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
    2. Wei Zheng & Hongliang Qiu & Alastair M. Morrison, 2023. "Applying a Combination of SEM and fsQCA to Predict Tourist Resource-Saving Behavioral Intentions in Rural Tourism: An Extension of the Theory of Planned Behavior," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-23, January.

    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. Taneja, Shilpa & Ali, Liaqat, 2021. "Determinants of customers’ intentions towards environmentally sustainable banking: Testing the structural model," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 59(C).
    2. Xuan Liu & Qiancheng Wang & Hsi-Hsien Wei & Hung-Lin Chi & Yaotian Ma & Izzy Yi Jian, 2020. "Psychological and Demographic Factors Affecting Household Energy-Saving Intentions: A TPB-Based Study in Northwest China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-20, January.
    3. Guang-Wen Zheng & Abu Bakkar Siddik & Mohammad Masukujjaman & Syed Shah Alam & Alvina Akter, 2020. "Perceived Environmental Responsibilities and Green Buying Behavior: The Mediating Effect of Attitude," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-27, December.
    4. Muhammad Yaseen Bhutto & Xiaohui Liu & Yasir Ali Soomro & Myriam Ertz & Yasser Baeshen, 2020. "Adoption of Energy-Efficient Home Appliances: Extending the Theory of Planned Behavior," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-25, December.
    5. Abdullah Al Mamun & Syed Ali Fazal & Ghazali Bin Ahmad & Mohd Rafi Bin Yaacob & Mohd. Rosli Mohamad, 2018. "Willingness to Pay for Environmentally Friendly Products among Low-Income Households along Coastal Peninsular Malaysia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-19, April.
    6. Kumar Shalender & Naman Sharma, 2021. "Using extended theory of planned behaviour (TPB) to predict adoption intention of electric vehicles in India," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(1), pages 665-681, January.
    7. Song, Jiawen & Cai, Lanhui & Yuen, Kum Fai & Wang, Xueqin, 2023. "Exploring consumers’ usage intention of reusable express packaging: An extended norm activation model," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    8. Gao, Lan & Wang, Shanyong & Li, Jun & Li, Haidong, 2017. "Application of the extended theory of planned behavior to understand individual’s energy saving behavior in workplaces," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 107-113.
    9. Shanyong Wang & Jing Wang & Feng Yang & Yu Wang & Jun Li, 2018. "Consumer familiarity, ambiguity tolerance, and purchase behavior toward remanufactured products: The implications for remanufacturers," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(8), pages 1741-1750, December.
    10. Chun-Hsi Vivian Chen & Yu-Cheng Chen, 2021. "Assessment of Enhancing Employee Engagement in Energy-Saving Behavior at Workplace: An Empirical Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-18, February.
    11. Yu Wang & Shanyong Wang & Jing Wang & Jiuchang Wei & Chenglin Wang, 2020. "An empirical study of consumers’ intention to use ride-sharing services: using an extended technology acceptance model," Transportation, Springer, vol. 47(1), pages 397-415, February.
    12. Wei Zheng & Hongliang Qiu & Alastair M. Morrison, 2023. "Applying a Combination of SEM and fsQCA to Predict Tourist Resource-Saving Behavioral Intentions in Rural Tourism: An Extension of the Theory of Planned Behavior," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-23, January.
    13. Tuğba Yeğin & Muhammad Ikram, 2022. "Analysis of Consumers’ Electric Vehicle Purchase Intentions: An Expansion of the Theory of Planned Behavior," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-27, September.
    14. Muhammad Yaseen Bhutto & Yasir Ali Soomro & Hailan Yang, 2022. "Extending the Theory of Planned Behavior: Predicting Young Consumer Purchase Behavior of Energy-Efficient Appliances (Evidence From Developing Economy)," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(1), pages 21582440221, February.
    15. Long, Xingle & Chen, Yaqiong & Du, Jianguo & Oh, Keunyeob & Han, Insoo, 2017. "Environmental innovation and its impact on economic and environmental performance: Evidence from Korean-owned firms in China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 131-137.
    16. Jinkyung Jenny Kim & Heesup Han, 2022. "Hotel Service Innovation with Smart Technologies: Exploring Consumers’ Readiness and Behaviors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-15, May.
    17. Chien-Chi Lin & Chih-Ming Dong, 2023. "Exploring Consumers’ Purchase Intention on Energy-Efficient Home Appliances: Integrating the Theory of Planned Behavior, Perceived Value Theory, and Environmental Awareness," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-16, March.
    18. Chuanhui Liao & Hui Li, 2019. "Environmental Education, Knowledge, and High School Students’ Intention toward Separation of Solid Waste on Campus," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-15, May.
    19. Andriosopoulos, Kostas & Bigerna, Simona & Bollino, Carlo Andrea & Micheli, Silvia, 2018. "The impact of age on Italian consumers' attitude toward alternative fuel vehicles," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 299-308.
    20. Secinaro, Silvana & Calandra, Davide & Lanzalonga, Federico & Ferraris, Alberto, 2022. "Electric vehicles’ consumer behaviours: Mapping the field and providing a research agenda," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 399-416.

    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:spr:endesu:v:24:y:2022:i:11:d:10.1007_s10668-021-01960-6. 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: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.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.