Author

  • Kazeem Alasinrin Babatunde

    • Faculty of Business, Management & Professional Studies, Management Science University, Malaysia
    • Malaysia

  • Nur Fadzlunnisaa Wakimin

    • Faculty of Business, Management & Professional Studies, Management Science University, Malaysia
    • Malaysia

  • Siti Haslini Binti Zakaria

    • Faculty of Business, Management & Professional Studies, Management Science University, Malaysia
    • Malaysia

  • Miney Soman

    • Faculty of Business, Management & Professional Studies, Management Science University, Malaysia
    • Malaysia

  • Ken Charman

    • Faculty of Business, CamEd Business School, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
    • Cambodia

Abstract

The increasing energy demand and its impact on climate change pose serious challenges to environmental sustainability. University students, as future leaders and decision-makers, have the potential to adopt and promote sustainable energy-saving behavior in their communities. However, the factors influencing their energy-saving practices are poorly understood, especially in the Malaysian context. Using a cross-sectional survey design, this research examines the factors influencing energy-saving behavior among students of MSU. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to MSU students, covering demographic details and variables related to energy-saving behavior and its determinants. The study employed stratified random sampling and used exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) for data analysis. The results show that social norms and perceived control over students’ behaviors are the only significant factors affecting sustainable behavior to save energy among students. At the same time, environmental awareness, energy literacy, and personal attitudes have no significant effect. Social norms are the strongest driver of energy-saving behavior, followed by perceived behavioral control. The findings suggest that interventions and policies to foster sustainable energy-saving behavior among students should focus on enhancing social norms and perceived behavioral control. This research fills the knowledge gap by offering specific insight into sustainable energy-saving behavior among Malaysian university students.

Keywords

References

  • Ajzen, I. (1991). The Theory of Planned Behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179–211. https://doi.org/10.47985/dcidj.475
  • Ajzen, I., Fishbein, M., Lohmann, S. & Albarracín, D. (2005). The influence of attitudes on behavior. In The handbook of attitudes 1. 197–255).
  • Aldulaimi, S. H., Abdeldayem, M. M., Al-Sanjary, O. I. & Abdelhakim, M. (2022). A Paradigm of the Sustainability and Energy Saving Strategies in GCC. 2022 ASU International Conference in Emerging Technologies for Sustainability and Intelligent Systems, ICETSIS 2022, 10–16. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICETSIS55481.2022.9888837
  • Al Mamun, A., Hayat, N., Masud, M. M., Yang, Q., Salameh, A. A. & Salleh, M. F. M. (2022). Energy Conservation Behavior Among the Malaysian Youth: A Study Under the Premises of Value- Belief-Norm Model. Frontiers in Energy Research, 10(May), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenrg.2022.902619
  • Awang, Z. (2014). A handbook on structural equation modeling using AMOS. MPWS Rich Resources.
  • Awang, Z., Afthanorhan, W. M. A. W., Hui, L. S. & Zainudin, N. F. S. (2023). SEM Made Simple 2.0: A General Approach of Structural Equation Modelling. Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin Press.
  • Ayeleru, O. O., Adeniran, J. A., Ntsaluba, S. B. K., Fajimi, L. I. & Olubambi, P. A. (2023). An Economic Analysis of Energy Consumption at Student Residences in a South African-Based Academic Institution Using NARX Neural Network. Energies, 16(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/en16020942
  • Babatunde, K. A., Fathin, F. S., Nor Ghani, M. N. & Rawshan, A. B. (2018). Reducing Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Malaysian Power Sector: Current Issues and Future Directions. Jurnal Kejuruteraan, 1(6), 59–69.
  • Babatunde, K. A., Said, F. F., Md Nor, N. G., Begum, R. A. & Mahmoud, M. A. (2021). Coherent or conflicting? Assessing natural gas subsidy and energy efficiency policy interactions amid CO2 emissions reduction in Malaysia's electricity sector. Journal of Cleaner Production, 279, 123374. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.123374
  • Babatunde, K. A., Mahmoud, M. A., Ibrahim, N. & Said, F. F. (2023). Malaysia’s Electricity Decarbonisation Pathways: Exploring the Role of Renewable Energy Policies Using Agent-Based Modelling. Energies, 16(4), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.3390/en16041720
  • Boomsma, C., Jones, R. V., Pahl, S. & Fuertes, A. (2019). Do psychological factors relate to energy-saving behaviors in inefficient and damp homes? A study among English social housing residents. Energy Research and Social Science, 47, 146–155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2018.09.007
  • Canova, L. & Manganelli, A. M. (2020). Energy-saving behaviors in workplaces: Application of an extended model of the theory of planned behavior. Europe’s Journal of Psychology, 16(3), 384–400. https://doi.org/10.5964/ejop.v16i3.1893
  • Chen, X. & Gou, Z. (2022). Bridging the knowledge gap between energy-saving intentions and behaviors of young people in residential buildings. Journal of Building Engineering, 57, 104932. https://doi.org/https://doi-org.eresourcesptsl.ukm.remotexs.co/10.1016/j.jobe.2022.104932
  • Cotton, D. R. E., Winter, J., Miller, W. & Dalla Valle, L. (2018). Is students’ energy literacy related to their university’s position in a sustainability ranking? Environmental Education Research, 24(11), 1611–1626. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2017.1395394
  • Cotton, D. R. E., Zhai, J., Miller, W., Dalla Valle, L. & Winter, J. (2021). Reducing energy demand in China and the United Kingdom: The importance of energy literacy. Journal of Cleaner Production, 278, 123876. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.123876
  • Curto, D., Franzitta, V., Guercio, A. & Panno, D. (2021). Energy retrofit. A case study—Santi Romano dormitory at Palermo University. Sustainability (Switzerland), 13(24). https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413524
  • Dinc?, V. M., Busu, M. & Nagy-Bege, Z. (2022). Determinants with Impact on Romanian Consumers’ Energy-Saving Habits. Energies, 15(11), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.3390/en15114080
  • Franco, D., Macke, J., Cotton, D., Paço, A., Segers, J. P. & Franco, L. (2022). Student energy- -saving in higher education tackling the challenge of decarbonization. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 23(7), 1648–1666. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-10-2021- 0432
  • Hair, J. F., Black, W. C. & Babin, B. J. (2010). Multivariate Data Analysis: A Global Perspective. Pearson Prentice Hall.
  • Heib, S., Hildebrand, J. & Kortsch, T. (2023). Energy saving behavior in university organizations: The value of norm constructions in a “rational choice” action model. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1082061
  • Huang, F., Liu, J., Wang, Z., Shuai, C. & Li, W. (2020). Of job, skills, and values: Exploring rural household energy use and solar photovoltaics in poverty alleviation areas in China. Energy Research and Social Science, 67, 101517. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2020.101517
  • Kasavan, S., Bin Sharif Ali, S. S. & Siron, R. (2021). The Behaviour of Households Towards Electricity Consumption: a Case Study At Seremban. Planning Malaysia, 19(4), 219–230. https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v19i18.1047
  • Kollmus, A. & Agyeman, J. (2002). Mind the Gap: Why Do People Act Environmentally and What Are the Barriers Mind the Gap: why do people act environmentally and what are the barriers? Environmental Education Research, August 2002, 37–41. https://doi.org/10.1080/1350462022014540
  • Kuai, P., Zhang, X., Zhang, S. & Li, J. (2022). Environmental awareness and household energy saving of Chinese residents: Unity of knowing and doing or easier said than done? Journal of Asian Economics, 82, 101534. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asieco.2022.101534
  • Leal Filho, W., Dinis, M. A. P., Sivapalan, S., Begum, H., Ng, T. F., Al-Amin, A. Q., Alam, G. M., Sharifi, A., Salvia, A. L., Kalsoom, Q., Saroar, M. & Neiva, S. (2022). Sustainability practices at higher education institutions in Asia. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 23(6), 1250–1276. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-06-2021-0244
  • Lee, Y. F., Nguyen, H. B. N. & Sung, H. T. (2022). Energy literacy of high school students in Vietnam and determinants of their energy-saving behavior. Environmental Education Research, 28(6), 907–924. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2022.2034752
  • Looi, Y. H., Nguyen, L. T. P. & Muthaiyah, S. (2022). Factors Affecting University Students’ Saving Behaviour in Malaysia. Atlantis Press International BV. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463- 080-0_8
  • Qin, B. & Chen, H. (2022). Does the nudge effect persist? Evidence from a field experiment using social comparison messages in China. Bulletin of Economic Research, 74(3), 689–703. https://doi.org/10.1111/boer.12313
  • Ruokamo, E., Meriläinen, T., Karhinen, S., Räihä, J., Suur-Uski, P., Timonen, L. & Svento, R. (2022). The effect of information nudges on energy saving: Observations from a randomized field experiment in Finland. Energy Policy, 161(December 2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2021.112731
  • Said, F. F., Babatunde, K. A., Nor, N. G. M., Mahmoud, M. A. & Begum, R. A. (2022). Decarbonizing the Global Electricity Sector through Demand-Side Management: A Systematic Critical Review of Policy Responses. Jurnal Ekonomi Malaysia, 56(1), 71–91. https://doi.org/10.17576/JEM-2022-5601-06
  • Saudi, M. H. M., Sinaga, O., Roespinoedji, D. & Tarofder, A. K. (2019). Experimenting with the Energy Economic Variables Regarding the Long-haul Consequences on Indonesia using Vector Error Correction Model. International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, 9(6), 503–510. https://doi.org/10.32479/ijeep.8695
  • Sekaran, U. & Bougie, R. (2016). Research Methods For Business: A Skill Building Approach. Wiley and Sons.
  • Stern, P. C., Dietz, T., Abel, T., Guagnano, G. A. & Kalof, L. (1999). A value-belief-norm theory of support for social movements: The case of environmentalism. Human Ecology Review, 6(2), 81–97.
  • Tverskoi, D., Xu, X., Nelson, H., Menassa, C., Gavrilets, S. & Chen, C. fei. (2021). Energy saving at work: Understanding the roles of normative values and perceived benefits and costs in single-person and shared offices in the United States. Energy Research and Social Science, 79(May), 102173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2021.102173
  • Udalov, V., Perret, J. & Vasseur, V. (2017). Environmental motivations behind individuals’ energy efficiency investments and daily energy-saving behavior: evidence from Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. International Economics and Economic Policy, 14(3), 481–499. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10368-017-0381-7
  • Users TCP and IEA. (2020). Behavioral insights for demand-side energy policy and programs: An environment scan, User-Centered Energy Systems Technology Collaboration Program. December. https://doi.org/10.47568/6OR105
  • Wang, Q. C., Lou, Y. N., Liu, X., Jin, X., Li, X. & Xu, Q. (2023). Determinants and mechanisms driving energy-saving behaviors of long-stay hotel guests: Comparison of leisure, business and extended-stay residential cases. Energy Reports, 9, 1354–1365. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2022.12.051
  • Wee, S. C. & Choong, W. W. (2019). Gamification: Predicting the effectiveness of a variety of game design elements to intrinsically motivate users’ energy conservation behavior. Journal of Environmental Management, 233, 97–106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.11.127
  • Xu, X., Chen, C. F., Li, D. & Menassa, C. (2020). Energy Saving at Work: Exploring the Role of Social Norms, Perceived Control and Ascribed Responsibility in Different Office Layouts. Frontiers in Built Environment, 6, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2020.00016
  • Xuan, V. N., Loan, L. T., Hoa, N. M. & Dao, N. T. (2023). Using a Unified Model of TPB, NAM, and SOBC to Investigate the Energy-Saving Behaviour of Urban Residents in Vietnam: Moderation Role of Cultural Values. Sustainability (Switzerland), 15(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032225
  • Zainudin, A., Habsah, M., Fauzilah, S., Mohammad, A. S., Hoque, M. & Kamaruzaman, J. (2017). Social Business Efficiency: Instrument Development and Validation Procedure using Structural Equation Modelling. International Business Management, 11(1), 222–231.

Downloads

No downloads have been recorded for this article yet. Figures appear here once readers begin downloading the full text.

How to Cite

Babatunde, K. A., Wakimin, N. F., Zakaria, S. H. B., Soman, M., & Charman, K. (2023). Determinants of Sustainable Energy Saving Behavior among University Students in Malaysia: A Case Study of Management & Science University (MSU). Information Management and Business Review, 15(3(I), 253-264. https://doi.org/10.22610/imbr.v15i3(I).3534

Share this article

License

Copyright (c) 2023 Kazeem Alasinrin Babatunde, Nur Fadzlunnisaa Wakimin, Siti Haslini Binti Zakaria, Miney Soman, Ken Charman (Author)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Author (s) should affirm that the material has not been published previously. It has not been submitted and it is not under consideration by any other journal. At the same time author (s) need to execute a publication permission agreement to assume the responsibility of the submitted content and any omissions and errors therein. After submission of revised paper in the light of suggestions of the reviewers, the editorial team  edits and formats manuscripts to bring uniformity and standardization in published material.

This work will be licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) and under condition of the license, users are free to read, copy, remix, transform, redistribute, download, print, search or link to the full texts of articles and even build upon their work as long as they credit the author for the original work. Moreover, as per journal policy author (s) hold and retain copyrights without any restrictions.

Keywords

Section

Research Paper

Published in

Vol. 15 No. 3(I) (2023) Consumer Behaviour, Financial Literacy & Student Wellbeing View issue contents

Published

2023-10-08

Submissions

Have research to publish? Information Management and Business Review welcomes submissions.

Make a Submission