Determinants of energy-saving behavioral intention among residents in Beijing: Extending the theory of planned behavior

Abstract

Given the rapid increase of residential energy consumption in Beijing, the question of how to promote residential energy-saving behavior is an emerging topic that is increasingly engaging the attention of scholars. To address this issue, this paper provides an empirical analysis that identifies and explores the determinants of an energy-saving behavioral intention among residents from the perspective of the theory of planned behavior (TPB). A theoretical model was constructed by refining and extending the classic TPB model according to the scope and requirements of this study and the existing situation in China. Survey data collected from 276 residents in Beijing were analyzed, and hypothesized relationships in the model were then verified using a structural equation model. The results show that subjective norms, environmental attitudes, information publicity, lifestyles, and perceived behavioral control significantly influence residents' energy-saving behavior, while demographic factors, such as educational background, household income, and age, had no obvious effects on behavioral intentions. Although knowledge regarding energy did not exert a direct influence on residents' energy-saving behavioral intentions, it did exert an indirect influence via environmental attitudes. Our results indicate that the role of households in saving energy expenditure should be emphasized, and financial incentives could be adopted to help promote environmental awareness among Beijing's residents. In addition, environment-friendly and energy-saving habits should also be inculcated. V C 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.

Towards sustainable consumption: Predicting the impact of social‐psychological factors on energy conservation intentions in Northern Cyprus

“…Namely, Behavioural intention (Thøgersen and Grønhøj, and Wang et al . (); Attitude (Botetzagias et al . (, Abrahamse and Steg, 2011 and Thøgersen and Grønhøj, 2010); Subjective norm (Ajzen et al .…”

“…That notwithstanding, we agree with Wang et al . () that it is not easy to differentiate between intention and behaviour during quantitative surveys. For it is assumed that the best predictor of an individual's future behaviour is his/her intention to engage in that behaviour which in turn is influenced by attitudes, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control ( Ajzen, ).…”

“…Although Wang et al . () and Webb et al . () revealed that SN positively influence an individuals’ energy‐saving behaviours, however, studies by Abrahamse and Steg () and Gao et al .…”

Key Factors Affecting Informed Consumers’ Willingness to Pay for Green Housing: A Case Study of Jinan, China

“…Chau, et al [45] further used discrete choice experiments to examine the attitudes of residents in Hong Kong toward the green attributes of a residential property; they reported that the respondents were willing to pay additional money for energy conservation. To date, TPB has been applied to predict consumers' intention and behavior in a wide range of areas, including environmentally sustainable products [36], electric vehicles [37], green hotels [38,39], and energy conservations [40,41]. This theory is a powerful model in explaining environmentally friendly behavior [42].…”

“…The more positive the individual attitude, the more support from relevant persons as well as the more perceived autonomic control, the higher behavioral intention of the person [33]. To date, TPB has been applied to predict consumers' intention and behavior in a wide range of areas, including environmentally sustainable products [36], electric vehicles [37], green hotels [38,39], and energy conservations [40,41]. This theory is a powerful model in explaining environmentally friendly behavior [42].…”