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Why Residents Don’t Do What They Say: Exploring the Intention–Behavior Gap in E-Waste Online Recycling Participating

Author

Listed:
  • Qiao Sun

    (School of Humanities, Central South University, Changsha 410012, China)

  • Hailin Yao

    (Business School, Central South University, Changsha 410012, China)

  • Chang Wang

    (Business School, Central South University, Changsha 410012, China)

  • Yanfang Xiang

    (Business School, Central South University, Changsha 410012, China)

  • Jing Ma

    (School of Humanities, Central South University, Changsha 410012, China)

Abstract

E-waste online recycling is a new recycling model that has received strong support from governments worldwide. It integrates multiple processes such as online inquiry and offline delivery. The complex online–offline interaction makes residents’ willingness to participate susceptible to external factors, hindering their behavior. To better transform residents’ recycling intentions into behavior, this paper primarily uses a questionnaire survey to explore the intention–behavior gap in e-waste online recycling participating. Our findings show that residents’ e-waste online recycling intention directly predicts their behavior, but the implementation plan plays a partial mediating role between them. Additionally, perceived value and platform interactivity moderate the impact of e-waste online recycling intention towards participation behavior. Subsequent in-depth interview analysis further also confirmed these findings. The study contributes to understanding residents’ online recycling behaviors and fostering the sustainable development of this model.

Suggested Citation

  • Qiao Sun & Hailin Yao & Chang Wang & Yanfang Xiang & Jing Ma, 2024. "Why Residents Don’t Do What They Say: Exploring the Intention–Behavior Gap in E-Waste Online Recycling Participating," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-17, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:19:p:8292-:d:1484406
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hornik, Jacob & Cherian, Joseph & Madansky, Michelle & Narayana, Chem, 1995. "Determinants of recycling behavior: A synthesis of research results," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 24(1), pages 105-127.
    2. Shi Zheng & Xinyang Lyu & Jie Wang & Cheryl Wachenheim, 2023. "Enhancing Sales of Green Agricultural Products through Live Streaming in China: What Affects Purchase Intention?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-26, March.
    3. Pengfei Li & Yutao Ru & Jianhong Wu, 2023. "Influential Factors Affecting Recycling Behavior toward Cardboard Boxes in the Logistics Sector: An Empirical Analysis from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-20, September.
    4. Russell, Sally V. & Young, C. William & Unsworth, Kerrie L. & Robinson, Cheryl, 2017. "Bringing habits and emotions into food waste behaviour," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 107-114.
    5. Michal Carrington & Benjamin Neville & Gregory Whitwell, 2010. "Why Ethical Consumers Don’t Walk Their Talk: Towards a Framework for Understanding the Gap Between the Ethical Purchase Intentions and Actual Buying Behaviour of Ethically Minded Consumers," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 97(1), pages 139-158, November.
    6. Sun, Qiao & Wang, Chang & Zhou, Yifang & Zuo, Lyushui & Song, Huiling, 2023. "How to build business ecosystems for e-waste online recycling platforms: A comparative study of two typical cases in China," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 190(C).
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