Stephanie A. Welcomer

An Analysis of the Predictive Validity of the New Ecological Paradigm Scale

Abstract The widely used New Environmental Paradigm (NEP) scale was recently revised to address concerns about its dimensionality and validity. As an ever larger number of researchers from an increasing variety of disciplines incorporate environmental issues into their research, the need for environmental concern measures such as the NEP will broaden. The authors evaluated the predictive validity of the original and revised versions of the NEP scale, some abbreviated NEP-derived scales, and a non-NEP environmental attitudes scale. All of these scales explained a significant amount of the variance in a measure of intention to engage in proenvi-ronmental behavior. Based on the results, the authors suggest how researchers should use these scales in their research.

A Cross-Cultural Assessment of Three Theories of Pro-Environmental Behavior: A Comparison Between Business Students of Chile and the United States

We surveyed business students in the United States (n = 256) and Chile (n = 310) to compare three theories of pro-environmental behavior.We examined Ajzen and Fishbein’s theory of reasoned action, Schawartz’s norm activation theory, and the values-beliefs-norms theory created by Stern, Dietz, Abel, Guagnano, and Kalof. We produced reliable measures for both samples. Each theory explained a significant amount of the variance in behavioral intention, although no theory clearly dominated for either the United States or Chile. However, among the variables included among these theories, the norms variable consistently produced the strongest relationship with behavioral intention. We discuss avenues of future research focusing on norms and more parsimonious combinations of the variables across these three theories.

Understanding Cultural Differences in the Antecedents of Pro-Environmental Behavior: A Comparative Analysis of Business Students in the United States and Chile

We surveyed business students in the U. S. (n = 256) and Chile (n = 310). The survey included measures drawn from studies of pro-environmental behavior using Schwartzs norm activation theory (Schwartz, 1977), the theory of reasoned action (Ajzen & Fishbein, 1980), and a values-beliefs-norms model created by Stern, Dietz, Abel, Guagnano, and Kalof (1999). Our results show Chilean business students are more altruistic than business students in the United States and Chilean students felt stronger pressures from their peers to engage in pro-environmental behaviors. Chilean business students also expressed higher levels of awareness of environmental problems, a greater sense of obligation to protect the environment, a stronger willingness to limit property rights, and stronger intentions to engage in pro-environmental behavior.

Constructing a Web Effects of Power and Social Responsiveness on Firm-Stakeholder Relationships

In this single industry study, the authors examine relationships between forest products companies in Maine and their stakeholders. The research question, why do firms work with stakeholders, is examined from both instrumental and normative perspectives. Specifically, it is hypothesized that stakeholder power and corporate social responsiveness affect the degree to which firms have working relationships with stakeholders. The study found support for the impact of the firm’s perception of stakeholder power on the strength of its relationships with stakeholders. Most notably, it also found support for the firm’s corporate social responsiveness on the strength of its stakeholder relations, indicating that firms do work with stakeholders from both instrumental and normative bases.

Firm-stakeholder networks: Organizational response to external influence and organizational philosophy

The role of the corporation in society is continually evaluated in a search for the balance between conduct aimed at maximizing economic profit and conduct aimed at maximizing social welfare. In this age of the postindustrial enterprise, theorists of firm behavior have suggested that the firm should be subject to forces of society, not separate from them. Although laws and regulations have delineated specific standards for compliance with societal expectations, voluntary compliance with societal expectations is an enigmatic phenomenon. Predicated on the unstable ground of ethical and instrumental rationales, the mechanisms that compel the firm to consider societal interests are not well understood. It is the goal of this study to examine the conditions that generate firm efforts to respond to societal interests. These interests are represented by particular groups called stakeholders. The conditions are derived from social influence external to the firm and from the philosophy held by the firm’s top management. This leads to the following questions:

Reliable Knowledge and Habits of the Mind: Factors Inhibiting and Facilitating Farmers’ Adaptations to Energy Constraints

Abstract Instantiated patterns of oil-based energy use have been difficult to change across sectors and societies. Although faced with price increases, diminishing supplies, and climate externalities, many sectors still depend on oil-based energy and have not fully adapted to changing resource conditions. Using a theoretical approach of institutional change, we offer a fine-grained analysis of factors limiting and facilitating energy adaptations. In this case study of farmers in Maine, we identify patterns in their perceptions of the macro-energy environment, adaptation strategies, and anticipated energy challenges. We segment the farms into groups representing small diversified farms and larger commodity farms, and investigate within and across farm sectors to understand farmer strategies for responding to changing energy prices. Significant differences in customs and beliefs, perceptions, and intended institutional changes are found between the small diversified and the larger commodity farms. The ability of farms within these sectors to successfully integrate positive institutional change will determine their possibility to evolve as sustainable enterprises.

For the collective good? Free–market claims for hazardous waste

This article employs critical theory to analyze how the free–market perspective legitimates hazardous waste production and disposal. This legitimation is most apparent in processes of regulation and disposal of hazardous waste. Integral to regulation and disposal is a series of communication acts aimed at defining hazardous waste, suggesting particular relations of the substances to production, society, and individuals. We argue that free–market claims fundamentally distort the relation of hazardous waste to society, individuals, democratic process, and the ecosystem. We suggest that a reliance on a more holistic economic approach is necessary to address the dilemma facing society.