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Awareness of the individual's harmful impact on the environment has been rising in recent years. One example of harmful impact is the littering of public spaces – which is significantly hazardous to ecosystems. A possible solution to the problem is a shift of emphasis. Rather than reinforcing external responsibility embodied in bins, cleaning staff, inspectors and authorities, emphasis should be placed on fostering the personal responsibility of citizens to collect the garbage they produce and transport it for safe, organized disposal. This approach is at the heart of a new initiative – Take the Garbage with You. This qualitative study examines how adults and adolescents perceive environmental responsibility – in general and, more specifically, regarding the littering of public spaces. We interviewed 24 participants divided into four groups: environmentally inclined adults, indifferent adults, environmentally inclined teens, and indifferent teens. Both inclined and indifferent, adults and teens alike, believe that others litter because there is someone in charge of cleaning and that the greater a person's sense of social belonging, the greater the efforts they take to protect the environment. Our findings also show that only environmentally inclined adults believe that Take the Garbage with You stands a good chance to succeed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly disrupted lives through direct and indirect channels, leaving an indelible global imprint on businesses and their workforces. This study investigates the influence of environmental management system on organizational performance grounded in business and sustainable environmental motivation. Additionally, it delves into the moderating role of environmental awareness during pandemics. Using data from 279 respondents in Pakistan's manufacturing sector, collected through an online survey and analyzed with SmartPLS 3.0, the study findings reveal that environmental management system significantly enhance environmental performance based on business and sustainable environmental motivation. However, their impact on economic performance is deemed insignificant. Notably, environmental awareness during the COVID-19 crisis amplified this influence. The results underscore the significance of fostering both business and sustainable environmental motivation to enhance environmental management system and the performance of Pakistan's manufacturing sector. Furthermore, policy formulation and enduring strategies should consider COVID-19's repercussions and safeguarding industries, such as manufacturing, from future calamities. Additionally, this study underscores that heightened employee motivation yields a favorable upswing in organizational performance. Policymakers and governments are encouraged to integrate motivational enhancement initiatives when sculpting organizational strategies and regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the climate change and the rising levels of stress in the society, a comprehensive study of the sustainable behavior of high school students is of particular relevance, not only in relation to the environment, but also to their interaction with the others. The purpose of the research is to study the sustainable behavior of high school students in relation to the environment and to other people. The hypothesis is twofold: 1) a higher level of environmental motivation of high school students will correspond to a higher level of their pro-sustainable behavior in everyday life; 2) a higher level of high school students’ ability of self-governance in interaction will correspond to a higher level of their pro-sustainable behavior in everyday life. The sample of the research comprises 10th and 11th high school graders (N = 145; male = 38%, female = 62%, average age 16.8 years, SD = 0.62 years) from two Russian cities: Vladimir (n = 70) and Samara (n = 75). The following methods were used: “Self-report questionnaire of pro-sustainable behavior in everyday life” (I. V. Kryazh, K. A. Andronnikova) was used to assess the level of sustainable behavior of high school students in everyday life; the subtest “Environmental motivation” from the “Questionnaire of ecological consciousness” (M. O. Mdivani) was utilized to diagnose the environmental motivation; the methodology “Study of the ability of self-governance in interaction” (N. P. Fetiskin, V. V. Kozlov, G. M. Manuilov) was used to assess high school students’ ability of self-governance in interaction. In general, a low level of sustainable behavior was shown by 16% of the high school students, 63% of them demonstrated an average level, a high level was shown by 21% of the high school students. At the same time, 8% of the high school students showed a low level of pro-sustainable behavior, and 48% of them showed a high level of pro-sustainable behavior. While 41% of the high school students showed a low level of environmental motivation, and only 6% of them showed a high level. This discrepancy in the results of pro-sustainable behavior and environmental motivation is explained by social-desirability bias when evaluating pro-sustainable behavior. No significant differences were found between the data of high school students living in Vladimir and Samara. Gender differences were found only for the data on pro-sustainable behavior in everyday life. A statistically significant correlation between pro-sustainable behavior and environmental motivation was established. No such connection was found between pro-sustainable behavior and self-governance in interaction. This may indicate that the students do not have enough skills and motivation to build subject-collaborative and subject-engaging interactions in relation to the environment. The results indicate the need for a broader understanding of the sustainable behavior of high school students, namely, that the behavior should be eco-friendly not only in relation to the surrounding nature, but to the surrounding people.

To achieve satisfying effects of plastic ban policies, it is important to promote people's intention to use green bags. Many studies have examined the antecedents of reducing plastic bag usage, but research regarding the influential factors of reusable bag usage is limited. Based on a survey of 532 respondents in China, a multiple linear regression model is constructed in this study to examine the determinants of individuals' intention to carry reusable bags for shopping. Results show that plastic ban awareness, social responsibility, environmental motivation, and economic motivation significantly and positively affect consumers' intention to use reusable bags for shopping. Of the two motivation factors, environmental motivation has a greater impact. More importantly, economic motivation positively moderates the relationship between environmental motivation and the intention to use reusable bags. This finding suggests a motivation "crowding-in" effect in predicting consumers' intention to carry reusable bags for shopping. Results of this study also indicate that female, older, and richer people are more inclined to carry reusable bags for shopping. Implications for plastic crisis management are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of environmental motivations on the individual's decisions regarding investments in energy efficiency and the adoption of energy-saving habits are analyzed for a representative sample of Chinese inhabitants from the larger Beijing area, replicating a comparative study on Western Europe. For the considered type of energy efficiency investments and daily energy-saving activities similarities and discrepancies between the two regions are discussed in regard to their sociocultural background as well as governmental regulations. The study provides empirical evidence that for Chinese environmental issues if all only play a tertiary role after monetary and regulatory incentives. The findings could suggest that in China policy programs aimed at raising environmental awareness and forming pro-environmental motivations might not lead to an increase in energy efficiency investments and daily energy-saving activities and the Chinese government's interests in this regard might be better served by implementing corresponding incentives via regulations. In the long-term. However, social peer pressure might affect a change in the Chinese mentality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding why people differ in adopting green technologies is of paramount importance. Regardless of the current understanding of the factors affecting adoption, the overall willingness to adopt new green technologies is still low. The present paper argues that cognitive, goal-oriented hope potentially prompts the early adoption of green technologies. Unlike socio-economic factors that are difficult to change, hope and motivation levels may be altered by using policy tools and education. A theoretical model is proposed and empirically tested. Regression analysis with interactions of 238 self-administered questionnaires is presented. The results support the theoretical model, as personal motivation, environmental motivation, and hope exhibit a statistically significant contribution to the early adoption of green technologies. Furthermore, hope levels are found to have a significant moderating effect on the positive association between environmental motivation and early adoption. This study takes an initial step towards revealing the important role of hope in adopting green technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In order to foster e-waste recycling, it is necessary to identify the factors that affect consumers' recycling of e-waste and to determine the degree to which these factors influence recycling behavior. We propose that environmental motivation and behavioral costs are the two determinants of e-waste recycling, but only behavioral costs can be manipulated effectively in the short term. We conducted two field trails and tested the effects of direct approaches (i.e., structural improvements such as curbside collection and deposit containers) and indirect approaches (i.e., material and social enticements) that were designed to reduce behavioral costs. Results showed that the direct approach led to more than a 14-fold increase in e-waste recycling compared to the control condition. This effect increased even further in the second field trial in which behavioral costs were indirectly decreased through a combination of social enticements that addressed social norms, group identity, and social commitment. These findings show that expensive structural improvements (e.g., setting up deposit containers for e-waste) can be outperformed by e-waste collection campaigns that address social motives. Highlights • In two field trials e-waste recycling was fostered by reducing behavioral costs. • Behavioral costs can be reduced both by structural and psychological interventions. • E-waste recycling rates were increased up to a factor of 14. • Social enticements were most effective to increase e-waste recycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article we investigate licensing behavior across and within sustainability domains. In a survey study based on a random sample of residents of the state of Maine, USA (N = 668), we find that an individual’s choice in a future policy scenario was significantly impacted by recalling his/her own previous sustainable behavior. We find evidence of domain-specific licensing in the energy realm, where individuals who participated in past sustainable energy behaviors are less likely to support a proposed public policy investment in energy efficiency/renewable energy. We employ a novel environmental motivation scale and determine that licensing impacts are mediated by an individual’s internal environmental motivation. Our results suggest that care must be taken in how we encourage sustainable behavior, without triggering licensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present results from a large-scale study performed in Flanders, focusing on the effectiveness of the eco-schools project. We surveyed 2152 students and 1374 teachers in 101 primary and secondary schools that are actively engaged in the eco-schools program at different stages (including control schools), focusing on their environmental values, knowledge and motivation. The results show that as the schools progress in becoming a certified eco-school, their students’ environmental outcomes change; the eco-schools project thus clearly has an educational impact. The main effects are observed for theoretical knowledge, and to a lesser extent, applied knowledge. We also observed a drop in utilization values and in amotivation. On the other hand, the controlled motivation of students is stimulated by the project as it is implemented, suggesting that students act pro-environmentally due to external pressures rather than because of intrinsic reasons. We also explicitly moved beyond comparing schools based on their eco-schools labels and studied the process factors that contribute to learning outcomes. Our results highlight the importance of the approach to didactics for environmental education, the making of environmental education policy in the schools, and the presence and use of natural green elements at the school campuses. For each of these school-level variables, the impact on students’ environmental learning outcomes are studied and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perceived status can affect the diffusion of pro-environmental behaviors and sustainable consumption. However, the status of different forms of sustainable consumption has not been adequately explored. Previous studies suggest that curtailment behaviors are associated with low or neutral status, while efficiency behaviors are associated with high status. However, these studies have generally examined a small number of behaviors. Drawing from costly signaling theory, we developed a mixed methods study to explore whether and why pro-environmental behaviors are perceived to be associated with high or low status, the perceived motivation for those behaviors, and the relationship between motivation and status. We conducted structured, interactive interviews with 71 participants to explore perceptions of 19 behaviors. Using quantitative and qualitative analyses, we find that efficiency is rated higher status than curtailment largely due to monetary considerations. Efficiency is also perceived to be motivated by environmental concern to a greater degree than curtailment. Understanding the motivation for behaviors clarifies the social signal because it provides insights into whether one is incurring personal costs. Importantly, it is often unclear whether low-cost curtailment behaviors are adopted by choice rather than financial need. Ambiguity about the intentionality of behaviors results in such behaviors being perceived as lower status. Those who argue that curtailment will be necessary for long-term sustainability must address status perceptions because social stigmas could hinder their adoption. Overcoming such stigmas may require, indicating that curtailment behaviors are voluntary, but it may be more effective to use social or economic mechanisms to increase efficiency behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main aim is to analyse the motivations that encourage environmental management (EM) in the medium-sized metal-mechanic companies located in the municipality of Querétaro, Mexico. Eleven companies were selected randomly and the instrument of data collection was the semi-structured interview in four categories: implementation of the system; environmental investments; personnel training; provisioning. The results allow to generate an explicit idea about the exercise of EM and the type of environmental actions that are executed in this industry. Four groups of companies were classified according to their maturation level of EM and its environmental commitment. It is concluded that the economic- financial profit motivates the integration of EM in its working system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Faculty plays a critical role in the growing trend of internationalization in higher education. Thus, it is important to understand the factors that drive faculty members to get involved in internationalization. Employing structural equation model with data gathered from questionnaire, this study attempts to explore how faculty engagement in internationalization is motivated based on a survey in China, and institution type is also considered in our model. Our findings suggest that in the overall sample, both individual and environmental motivations positively relate to faculty engagement in internationalization, and individual motivation is the more critical predictor. One striking result is that individual motivation plays a complete mediating factor between environmental motivation and faculty engagement in internationalization, suggesting the significance of transferring institutional incentives to faculty's individual competence and efficacy. Institution type significantly accounts for environmental motivations. As to key university, the result was consistent with above. In general institution, however, the effect of environmental motivation is insignificant, indicating that sufficient funding is indispensable for the internationalization ambition of institutions. The implications for research and policy conclude this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - A considerable amount of research suggests that the way information is processed may influence a purchasing decision; however, this seems to be an issue rarely investigated in green marketing studies. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to draw on the literature related to the Heuristic-Systematic Model of information processing to provide a deeper insight into the factors affecting pro-environmental behavior intention. Design/methodology/approach - The framework highlights the moderator role of environmental motivation and environmental knowledge in the relationships among message framing and pro-environmental behavior intention. The study used an internet survey to help reduce the social desirability bias associated with a face-to-face survey. In total, 497 questionnaires were collected, of which 68 were invalid and 429 were valid. Findings - The results indicate that it might be beneficial for green marketing proprietors to provide product-related information stressing the potential negative consequences of not buying organic food products. This effect, however, is moderated by the degree of the customer's environmental motivation and environmental knowledge. Originality/value - This stands in marked contrast to the traditional information which emphasizes the positive consequences to motivate customers to purchase organic food products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To achieve satisfying effects of plastic ban policies, it is important to promote people's intention to use green bags. Many studies have examined the antecedents of reducing plastic bag usage, but research regarding the influential factors of reusable bag usage is limited. Based on a survey of 532 respondents in China, a multiple linear regression model is constructed in this study to examine the determinants of individuals' intention to carry reusable bags for shopping. Results show that plastic ban awareness, social responsibility, environmental motivation, and economic motivation significantly and positively affect consumers' intention to use reusable bags for shopping. Of the two motivation factors, environmental motivation has a greater impact. More importantly, economic motivation positively moderates the relationship between environmental motivation and the intention to use reusable bags. This finding suggests a motivation "crowding-in" effect in predicting consumers' intention to carry reusable bags for shopping. Results of this study also indicate that female, older, and richer people are more inclined to carry reusable bags for shopping. Implications for plastic crisis management are discussed., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Li and Wang.)

The aim of this research is to ascertain whether a firm's environmental motivations may help to predict how complete or incomplete its environmental management will be, understanding incomplete management to be that which neglects one or more of the three keys aspects of such management, namely, monitoring, action and results. We specifically posit that while motivations based on the search for legitimation lead to more incomplete styles of environmental management, competitive motivations entail a more complete management. The analyses conducted with a sample of 1,902 plants provide empirical evidence in favour of such reasoning. The contribution this research makes, therefore, is not restricted solely to showing the effect motivations have on the environmental performance of organisations, as it also introduces a new dimension of environmental management-the degree of completeness, which needs to be considered when understanding and evaluating this effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, in addition to financial and social objectives, the microfinance industry has started to look at its environmental bottom line. The objective of this paper is to identify why microfinance institutions (MFIs) decide to go green. Data was collected through a quantitative survey of 160 MFIs and qualitative semi-structured interviews of 23 MFIs' top managers. Basing our analysis on the model of ecological responsiveness developed by Bansal and Roth (Acad Manag J 43(4):717-736, ), we discover that MFIs for which legitimation (stakeholder pressure) is the dominant driver tend to adopt a defensive approach and set up more superficial negative strategies to appear green. In contrast, MFIs for which social responsibility is the dominant driver tend to be more proactive and innovative and develop adapted financial and non-financial services to promote environmentally friendly practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature shows that threats unrelated to environmental problems can shift attention away from these problems and affect pro-environmental behavior. It is not clear whether the COVID-19 crisis that started in 2019 had any uniform effect on pro-environmental behavior and decision making. In two preregistered panel studies conducted before and during the first COVID wave (n 1 = 206, n 2 = 164) and before and during the second COVID wave (n 3 = n 4 = 260), we found that the crisis had had no uniform effect on pro-environmental behaviors, environmental attitude, nor on the behavioral costs of general pro-environmental behavior. Analysis of one specific pro-environmental behavior, the choice of environmentally friendly delivery of products, revealed that the general preference for green delivery services and heightened preference for green delivery services among people with higher attitude levels remained unchanged by the COVID-19 crisis. Thus, if the COVID-19 crisis has had any effects on pro-environmental behaviors, these effects are probably fragmented, specific to certain population segments, and not visible in the short-term perspective. • The COVID-19 crisis had no uniform effect on general pro-environmental behavior. • The COVID-19 crisis had no effect on environmental attitude. • The COVID-19 crisis had no uniform effect on the behavioral costs of pro-environmental behaviors. • The COVID-19 crisis did not affect green decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A goal of most environmental education is to motivate students toward environmentally friendly behaviour change. This article describes a study that elucidates how such motivation can be fostered in the classroom. It compared students’ development of environmental motivation in a conventional post-secondary environmental biology course and a similar course guided by self-determination theory (SDT). Students in the SDT-guided course experienced less amotivation after the course than students in the comparison section. This article presents a preliminary empirical examination of the utility of SDT in a formal environmental education setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fostering environmental motivation to perform proenvironmental behaviors is an implicit goal of most environmental education (EE) programs. However, an inadequate amount of research has offered insight into how educators can foster environmental motivation through instruction, and the few studies that address this topic share a single theoretical perspective. The present author explored self-determination theory (SDT) as an alternative research paradigm to fostering environmental motivation in the EE classroom. The author describes SDT's theoretical underpinnings, discusses its potential application to EE, and proposes 3 potentially fruitful avenues of research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eco-conscious behaviors have become a global imperative for entrepreneurs, as the consumer demand for products and services has become increasingly green. Hence, the purpose of this study is to identify the role of entrepreneurship education in environmental sustainability as measured by the launch of green ventures. This study also aims at extending the literature of resource-based view and flow theory by highlighting their application into the green venturing context. Data were collected from 420 Pakistani students having studied an entrepreneurship course in their university life by using the convenience sampling technique. The covariance based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) was used to test the hypothesized relationships, and it was identified that entrepreneurship education evokes commitment to the environment, subsequently leading towards university green entrepreneurial support, environmental motivation, and green entrepreneurial behavior. University green entrepreneurial support also significantly influences green venturing; however, environmental motivation does not affect green entrepreneurial behavior. The findings of this study can be useful for policymakers in higher educational institutions, regulatory bodies, and diverse-government agencies dealing with UN sustainable development goals.