Urban resident energy-saving behavior: a case study under the A2SC framework

• DOI: 10.1007/s11069-017-3138-2
• Publication Date: 2017-11-30T11:44:28Z
• Authors: Licheng Sun; Qunwei Wang; Shilong Ge
• Keywords: Affect

A full understanding of the characteristics of urban resident energy-saving (ES) behavior is an important prerequisite for the creation of targeted policies. This study constructs a conceptual model of urban resident ES behavior, consisting of four dimensions: attitude, ability, situation, and custom (the A2SC framework). Then, urban residents of Jiangsu Province, China, were studied to assess interactions among the different variables as well as direct effects of variables on ES behavior. The analysis was conducted using a partial least squares structural equation model. Based on the analysis, targeted suggestions for ES behavioral guidance have been proposed. Primary conclusions are as follows: First, ES attitudes, customs, and situation can all directly and positively affect ES behavior; the influence decreased in sequence, with influencing coefficients of 0.367, 0.225, and 0.087, respectively. Second, ES ability did not impose a direct effect on ES behavior; however, it can indirectly promote the formation of ES behavior by mediating attitude, situation, and custom. Third, when considering the interaction among variables, ES ability, situation, and attitude significantly promoted the formation of ES custom. ES situation contributed to the formation of ES ability, while ES ability and situation were important foundations of ES attitude.