Analysis of the predictors of five eco-sensitive behaviours

Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine five different types of eco-sensitive behaviours separately and understand if determinants of these behaviours vary depending on the type of action being performed.

Design/methodology/approach: The study investigates factors influencing five different eco-sensitive behaviours by empirically testing the effects of socio-economic status (SES), gender, age and environmental values. Theoretically guided hypotheses and models were formulated and tested with multiple linear regression models by employing a dataset from the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) 2010 General Social Survey.

Findings: Results conclude that different types of behaviour have different predictors. While age differences only explain recycling cans and bottles (RCB), gender difference explains buying pesticide-free fruits/vegetables and avoiding environmentally harmful products (AHP). Values, on the other hand, predict all five eco-behaviours. Driving less and saving water for environmental reasons were least explained by the examined predictors.

Originality/value: These results contribute to untangling the confusing research evidence on the effects of SES, age, gender and environmental values on different environmental behaviours and on the relationship between them by examining each behaviour separately.

Keywords: Environmentally Sensitive Behaviour, Socio-economic status, Age, Gender, Environmental values, Green Consumer Behaviour, Sustainable consumption