Generalizing and expanding the comprehensive action determination model : the case of recycling at home and at work

• Main Author: Leung, Yan Wah
• Other Authors: Sonny Ben Rosenthal
• Format: Theses and Dissertations
• Language: English
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: DRNTU::Social sciences::Communication
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/74233
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This study aimed to understand the factors influencing proenvironmental behavior in two contexts—at home and at work—by applying the comprehensive action determination model (CADM), a framework that uses rational, irrational, and situational factors to explain proenvironmental behaviors in private contexts. Through generalizing the CADM such that it is applicable to both contexts, the study was able to examine and compare recycling behavior at home and at work. While doing so, this study developed a scale to measure perceived sustainability-related climate, a situational factor proposed to influence proenvironmental behaviors. Next, using the CADM, this study examined if certain factors exert more influence on recycling intention and behavior at home or at work. Lastly, this study expanded the CADM by introducing self-identity to explain how proenvironmental behavior in one context may explain the same behavior in a different context. I administered an online questionnaire to gather responses from 465 working adults, where respondents answered questions pertaining to their recycling behavior at home and at work. Results revealed that the same variables influenced recycling intention in both contexts. However, there were discrepancies in the variables that influenced recycling behavior at home and at work. Specifically, perceived sustainability-related climate had a significant relationship with recycling behavior at work, but not at home. In addition, contrary to previous studies, this study found that self-identity had a direct negative relationship with recycling at work, but had a moderating effect on recycling at home. The results of this study offer an explanation as to why some individuals perform proenvironmental behaviors consistently, while others do not. It also highlights the importance of promoting proenvironmental behaviors in the workplace.