IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/endesu/v24y2022i1d10.1007_s10668-021-01439-4.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

People’s perceptions on the use of human excreta for biogas generation in Ghana

Author

Listed:
  • M. Osei-Marfo

    (University of Cape Coast
    CAPHRI, University of Maastricht)

  • N. K. Vries

    (CAPHRI, University of Maastricht)

  • E. Awuah

    (Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology)

Abstract

This paper explored people’s perceptions on the use of human excreta for biogas generation in Ghana using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). It sought to assess the effect of attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control on people’s behavioural intention to use human excreta (HEx) for biogas. Data collection was by questionnaire designed with the TPB constructs and other demographic information, and the analysis was done by structural equation modelling (SEM). The analysis produced two structural models: the standard TPB model and the adjusted model. Based on SEM, this study revealed that the adjusted model provides a useful and effective framework for analysing the interrelationships between socio-demographic variables and the standard TPB constructs than the standard TPB. Therefore, the results show that the effect of attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control are all significant and positive. Though all the constructs were significant and positive, participants showed low perceived behavioural control or they perceive low ability of using HEx for biogas. Results revealed an adequate fit for people’s behavioural intentions to use HEx for biogas. The adjusted model, generated by the inclusion of gender and education into the TPB model, provided a useful and effective framework for the interrelationships between socio-demographic variables and the TPB constructs than the standard TPB. Attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control significantly influenced intentions to use HEx for biogas. Though perceived behavioural control showed low controllability, subjective norm was a major factor with religion being key on intentions to use HEx for biogas generation. Gender and education had no direct significant influence on intentions, but their effects were mediated through the TPB factors. It was further revealed that knowledge on the benefits of biogas as well as the perceived effect of using human excreta was strong and positive. Interventions aimed at promoting the use of HEx for biogas should address low controllability and that should include government subsidy and financial support as well as education to address stigma and HEx knowledge. The intervention should also bring on board important persons such as religious leaders and persons from relevant institutions to lead more open discussions on HEx use for biogas.

Suggested Citation

  • M. Osei-Marfo & N. K. Vries & E. Awuah, 2022. "People’s perceptions on the use of human excreta for biogas generation in Ghana," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(1), pages 352-376, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:24:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1007_s10668-021-01439-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-021-01439-4
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10668-021-01439-4
    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/s10668-021-01439-4?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. Arthur, Richard & Baidoo, Martina Francisca & Antwi, Edward, 2011. "Biogas as a potential renewable energy source: A Ghanaian case study," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(5), pages 1510-1516.
    2. Judith Petts, 1998. "Environmental Responsiveness, Individuals and Organizational Learning: SME Experience," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 41(6), pages 711-730.
    3. Amigun, B. & von Blottnitz, H., 2010. "Capacity-cost and location-cost analyses for biogas plants in Africa," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 55(1), pages 63-73.
    4. Jan, Inayatullah & Akram, Waqar, 2018. "Willingness of rural communities to adopt biogas systems in Pakistan: Critical factors and policy implications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P2), pages 3178-3185.
    5. United Nations UN, 2015. "Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," Working Papers id:7559, eSocialSciences.
    6. Botetzagias, Iosif & Dima, Andora-Fani & Malesios, Chrisovaladis, 2015. "Extending the Theory of Planned Behavior in the context of recycling: The role of moral norms and of demographic predictors," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 58-67.
    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. Sorin Popescu & Diana Rusu & Mihai Dragomir & Daniela Popescu & Șerban Nedelcu, 2019. "Competitive Development Tools in Identifying Efficient Educational Interventions for Improving Pro-Environmental and Recycling Behavior," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-25, December.
    2. Paulina Schiappacasse & Bernhard Müller & Le Thuy Linh, 2019. "Towards Responsible Aggregate Mining in Vietnam," Resources, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-15, August.
    3. Pina Puntillo, 2023. "Circular economy business models: Towards achieving sustainable development goals in the waste management sector—Empirical evidence and theoretical implications," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(2), pages 941-954, March.
    4. Schlör, Holger & Venghaus, Sandra & Hake, Jürgen-Friedrich, 2018. "The FEW-Nexus city index – Measuring urban resilience," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 210(C), pages 382-392.
    5. Jean-Louis Combes & Alexandru Minea & Pegdéwendé Nestor Sawadogo, 2019. "Assessing the effects of combating illicit financial flows on domestic tax revenue mobilization in developing countries," CERDI Working papers halshs-02019073, HAL.
    6. Nelson, Ewan & Warren, Peter, 2020. "UK transport decoupling: On track for clean growth in transport?," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 39-51.
    7. Ibrahim Ari & Muammer Koc, 2018. "Sustainable Financing for Sustainable Development: Understanding the Interrelations between Public Investment and Sovereign Debt," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-25, October.
    8. R. Ebrahimi & S. Choobchian & H. Farhadian & I. Goli & E. Farmandeh & H. Azadi, 2022. "Investigating the effect of vocational education and training on rural women’s empowerment," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-11, December.
    9. Benjamin Nölting & Bettina König & Anne B. Zimmermann & Antonietta Di Giulio & Martina Schäfer & Flurina Schneider, 2022. "Dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic: an opportunity to reflect on sustainability research," NachhaltigkeitsManagementForum | Sustainability Management Forum, Springer, vol. 30(1), pages 11-27, December.
    10. Rashmi Jaipal, 2017. "Psychology at the Crossroads," Psychology and Developing Societies, , vol. 29(2), pages 125-159, September.
    11. Bárbara Galleli & Elder Semprebon & Joyce Aparecida Ramos dos Santos & Noah Emanuel Brito Teles & Mateus Santos de Freitas-Martins & Raquel Teodoro da Silva Onevetch, 2021. "Institutional Pressures, Sustainable Development Goals and COVID-19: How Are Organisations Engaging?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-21, November.
    12. Sagarika Dey & Priyanka Devi, 2019. "Impact of TVET on Labour Market Outcomes and Women’s Empowerment in Rural Areas: A Case Study from Cachar District, Assam," Indian Journal of Human Development, , vol. 13(3), pages 357-371, December.
    13. Rostami-Tabar, Bahman & Ali, Mohammad M. & Hong, Tao & Hyndman, Rob J. & Porter, Michael D. & Syntetos, Aris, 2022. "Forecasting for social good," International Journal of Forecasting, Elsevier, vol. 38(3), pages 1245-1257.
    14. Maria Sassi, 2020. "A SEM Approach to the Direct and Indirect Links between WaSH Services and Access to Food in Countries in Protracted Crises: The Case of Western Bahr-el-Ghazal State, South Sudan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-13, November.
    15. Alessandro Concari & Gerjo Kok & Pim Martens, 2020. "A Systematic Literature Review of Concepts and Factors Related to Pro-Environmental Consumer Behaviour in Relation to Waste Management Through an Interdisciplinary Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-50, May.
    16. Christina Tsouti & Christina Papadaskalopoulou & Angeliki Konsta & Panagiotis Andrikopoulos & Margarita Panagiotopoulou & Sofia Papadaki & Christos Boukouvalas & Magdalini Krokida & Katerina Valta, 2023. "Investigating the Environmental Benefits of Novel Films for the Packaging of Fresh Tomatoes Enriched with Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Compounds through Life Cycle Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-22, May.
    17. Olga Stepanova & Magdalena Romanov, 2021. "Urban Planning as a Strategy to Implement Social Sustainability Policy Goals? The Case of Temporary Housing for Immigrants in Gothenburg, Sweden," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-17, February.
    18. Alberto Bertossi & Stefania Troiano & Francesco Marangon, 2022. "Where is sustainability? An assessment of vending products," RIVISTA DI STUDI SULLA SOSTENIBILITA', FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 0(1), pages 155-180.
    19. Michel, Hanno, 2020. "From local to global: The role of knowledge, transfer, and capacity building for successful energy transitions," Discussion Papers, Research Group Digital Mobility and Social Differentiation SP III 2020-603, WZB Berlin Social Science Center.
    20. Hervé Corvellec & Johan Hultman & Anne Jerneck & Susanne Arvidsson & Johan Ekroos & Niklas Wahlberg & Timothy W. Luke, 2021. "Resourcification: A non‐essentialist theory of resources for sustainable development," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 29(6), pages 1249-1256, November.

    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:1:d:10.1007_s10668-021-01439-4. 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.