Agneta Marell

Green consumer behavior : Determinants of curtailment and eco-innovation adoption

– Knowledge of green consumer behavior is important for environmental and business reasons. The purpose of this study is to examine the determinants of green curtailment behaviors and consumer adoption of innovations marketed as green (eco‐innovations), and to analyze factors explaining these two types of green behaviors., – The results from a survey on adopters and non‐adopters (n=1,832) of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) are reported. Regression analysis on willingness to curtail car use and willingness to adopt a so‐called environmentally friendly car are used to identify significant determinants across the behavioral categories., – The results show that values, beliefs, norms, and habit strength determine willingness to curtail and willingness for eco‐innovation adoption. Personal norms have a strong positive influence on willingness for the behaviors and habit strength has a negative influence. The other determinants have varying influence depending on type of behavior., – A limitation of this study concerns the focus on only one eco‐innovation. However, since the adoption of AFVs is a high involvement behavior, the results carry implications for other high involvement products as well., – Attitudinal factors and habits in combination prove to be effective determinants for curtailment behaviors and willingness to adopt eco‐innovations. In addition, previous adoption is found to be a strong determinant of future willingness to adopt., – The contribution of the paper is the two‐sided approach on green consumer behavior and the result that values, beliefs and norms not only predict low involvement post‐purchase behaviors but also adoption of high involvement eco‐innovations.

EFFECTS OF INCREASED AWARENESS ON CHOICE OF TRAVEL MODE

This paper reports a field experiment with the purpose of studying the effects of increased awareness on travel mode choice. One hundred fifteen subjects were randomly assigned to an experimental and a control group. In the experimental group, a more deliberate choice of travel mode was induced and expected to result in a stronger relationship between attitude and behavior, a weaker relationship between habit and behavior, and a behavioral change among individuals with a strong habit. Attitude, habit, and behavior were measured in travel diaries and questionnaires. The results indicated no significant change in the relationship between attitude and behavior and no significant change in the relationship between habit and behavior. However, a temporally extended decrease in car use was observed in the experimental group. The effect was noted for individuals with a strong habit who reduced their car use but not for subjects with a weak habit.

Explaining attitudes towards the euro: Design of a cross-national study

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to provide essential background material relating to the accom-panying papers in this special issue. It presents a brief description of the ‘Psychology of theEuropean Monetary Union’ project. This involved a questionnaire study of attitudes towardsthe euro, which was fielded in each of the 15 member states of the European Union in thesummer of 1997. We describe the development of the common survey instrument, and outlinethe rationale and methods pursued in sampling particular conceptual domains. The paper alsodetails the sampling procedures used in each country, together with the response rates andsample sizes attained. Finally, it o•ers a brief cross-national comparison of overall attitudes tothe euro. O 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.PsycINFO classification: 2229; 3920JEL classification: D63; D84; E52; F33Keywords: Control; Currency; Euro; Expectations; Equity; European union; Economic andmonetary union; Money; National identity; Satisfaction; Values

FACTORS INFLUENCING DRIVERS' DECISION TO INSTALL AN ELECTRONIC SPEED CHECKER IN THE CAR

Intelligent speed adaptation (ISA) refers to various concepts aiming at limiting the vehicle speed. In Umea, Sweden, a large scale field study was carried out to test the possibility to, on a volun ...

INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM AND TRAFFIC SAFETY - DRIVERS PERCEPTION AND ACCEPTANCE OF ELECTRONIC SPEED CHECKERS

Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) can play an important role in reducing risks and increasing traffic safety. Discussion as to whether a technological approach or a behavioral approach is the right way to achieve a safer traffic environment forms a point of departure for this paper. On the one hand, there are the technicians who emphasize technology as the way towards safer traffic. Behaviorists, on the other hand, view the drivers’ behavior as fundamental and argue that education and incentive-oriented policies are essential in order to influence the driver and therefore increase traffic safety. Independent of the approach advocated a successful outcome of either a technological improvement, or an information campaign, has to be based on a high level of acceptance among potential users. In order to increase traffic safety, it is therefore essential to recognize driver motivation and attitudes. In this paper we focus on drivers’ attitudes towards risk, traffic safety and safety measures. A study of drivers’ attitudes and acceptance of an electronic device for speed checking (which the drivers tested for nine months) indicated a high acceptance level. The drivers perceived that they had both become more aware of traffic regulations and behaved in accordance with safety regulations.

The effects of taxicab deregulation in rural areas of Sweden

In 1990, the taxicab industry in Sweden was deregulated. By eliminating entry and price controls, it was expected that prices would decrease and efficiency/productivity would increase. This paper examines the effects of deregulation in rural areas. We assume that the geographic setting, with respect to population composition, population density, economic life, infrastructure, transport service provision, etc., provides different conditions for taxicab services as well as different demands for taxicab services. Taxi logs and taxi meters provided data for this study. The results indicate that although not all expectations have been fulfilled, some positive effects concerning competition and productivity are noted.

Importance ratings of grocery store attributes

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to develop a comprehensive set of grocery store attributes that can be standardized and used in empirical research aiming at increasing retailers´ understandin ...

The mediating effect of value orientation on the relationship between socio-demographic factors and environmental concern in Swedish tourists’ vacation choices

A survey of 681 Swedish tourists was conducted to examine how tourists’ value orientation mediates the relationships between socio-demographic factors and environmental concern (EC) in six specific vacation choices. Overall, the results showed that sex, age, education, and income have an effect on EC in choice of destination, time of departure, activity, travel mode, accommodation, and length of trip. Value orientation fully and partially mediated these effects of socio-demographic factors. The partial mediation implies that the socio-demographic factors also have direct effects on ECs. It was further concluded that each vacation choice should be examined separately since both the effect of socio-demographic factors on EC and the mediating effect of value orientation differ depending on which vacation choice the respondent is considering.

Environmentally friendly replacement of automobiles

A telephone survey of 100 automobile owners was undertaken. One aim was to determine whether the timing of replacement purchases is related to the difference between an owners assessment of the current quality of their automobile and their aspiration level. Another aim was to investigate whether information indicating that either early or late replacement is better for the environment affects the timing of replacement through an influence on the aspiration level. Sets of path analyses confirmed that replacement purchase intention was causally related to the current level and the aspiration level. An indirect effect of information was furthermore observed through changes in the aspiration level. Degree of environmental concern tended to modify this effect. Replacement purchase intention was found to predict actual purchase.

Direct and indirect effects on households¿ intentions to replace the old car

With the purpose of testing the hypothesis that households’ intentions to replace their old car have a direct negative relationship to its perceived quality (‘current level’) and a direct positive relationship to their aspirations for a new car (‘aspiration level’), a rotating panel of car owners were interviewed every fourth month during 2 years. In this data set the hypothesis received support. In addition the results showed that the age of the car, the total number of miles driven, and the number of anticipated repairs affected the current level, whereas marital status, the number of children, consumer confidence, and environmental concern affected the aspiration level.