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Sacrifice Readiness for Climate Change: Evidence from Economics and Business Students in Southeast Europe

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  • Alfirević, Nikša
  • Bilić, Ivana
  • Mateljak, Željko

Abstract

This paper examines the characteristics of economics and business students, aiming to predict their willingness to make lifestyle sacrifices to promote environmental sustainability and mitigate climate change. We use the survey data from 416 business students from five countries in the region of South East Europe (SEE). Results of statistical analysis show that gender (female) and the level of studies (higher study levels) can be associated with stronger expectations of lifestyle sacrifices, with the marginal role of self-reported belonging to the social class. We did not find any specific country differences within the SEE region. Our results provide a starting point for future empirical research on accepting pro-environmental change in higher education and suggest that behavioral trade-offs can be associated with gender effects and exposure to higher education curriculum.

Suggested Citation

  • Alfirević, Nikša & Bilić, Ivana & Mateljak, Željko, 2025. "Sacrifice Readiness for Climate Change: Evidence from Economics and Business Students in Southeast Europe," EconStor Conference Papers 343402, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:esconf:343402
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    File URL: https://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/343402/1/ABS12-Corrected-Final.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions

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