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Understanding the Environmentally Sustainable Behavior of Chinese University Students as Tourists: An Integrative Framework

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  • Zhihui Wang

    (School of Landscape Architecture, Zhejiang A & F University, Hangzhou 311300, China)

  • Liangzhen Nie

    (School of Landscape Architecture, Zhejiang A & F University, Hangzhou 311300, China)

  • Eila Jeronen

    (Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Oulu, FI-90014 Oulu, Finland)

  • Lihua Xu

    (School of Landscape Architecture, Zhejiang A & F University, Hangzhou 311300, China)

  • Meiai Chen

    (School of Landscape Architecture, Zhejiang A & F University, Hangzhou 311300, China)

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to develop a theoretical framework by integrating the value-belief-norm (VBN) theory with environmental awareness in measuring Chinese university students’ environmentally sustainable behavior toward tourism destinations. University students tend to engage in sustainability efforts since their values and beliefs are still being formed. The participants were 301 university students from a university in eastern China. The empirical findings demonstrate that: (1) environmental awareness has positive influences on biospheric value, altruistic value and egoistic value; (2) biospheric value positively predicts the new ecological paradigm (NEP), whereas altruistic and egoistic values do not; (3) the NEP, awareness of consequence and personal norms play an important mediating role. Results indicate that extended VBN can explain students’ environmentally sustainable behavior. This research supports the growth of sustainable tourism and has a number of practical implications for universities and the relevant environmental departments to promote university students’ involvement in sustainable tourism.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhihui Wang & Liangzhen Nie & Eila Jeronen & Lihua Xu & Meiai Chen, 2023. "Understanding the Environmentally Sustainable Behavior of Chinese University Students as Tourists: An Integrative Framework," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-17, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:4:p:3317-:d:1067714
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Sofia Gomes & João M. Lopes, 2023. "Insights for Pro-Sustainable Tourist Behavior: The Role of Sustainable Destination Information and Pro-Sustainable Tourist Habits," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-17, May.
    2. Wei Song & Liguo Wang & Yan He & Yanting Ye & Yuting Jiang, 2024. "Study on the Strength of Rural Tourism Operators’ Willingness to Carbon Offset and Its Influencing Mechanisms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-21, July.

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