Factors Influencing Consumers’ Intentions to Participate in a Formal E-Waste Collection System: A Case Study of Onitsha, Nigeria

Abstract

Due to the increasing amount of electronic waste (e-waste) generated in Nigeria, challenges such as consumer disposal behaviors have emerged. An understanding of consumers' intentions to participate in formal e-waste collections is key in increasing the level of participation in an e-waste collection scheme. The theory of planned behavior (TPB) creates an applicable platform for identifying the determinants of recycling intention. Based on the TPB, we develop a theoretical framework to study how influencing factors such as attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control and environmental knowledge influence intentions to participate in formal e-waste collections. Additionally, we extend the research framework to examine whether the factors of infrastructure and economic incentive moderate the relationships between the influencing factors and intention. Using an empirical survey conducted in Onitsha with 384 usable questionnaire responses, we observe that attitude, subjective norm, and environmental knowledge directly influence consumers' intentions. Statistical results also show that only the factor of infrastructure moderates the relationship between two influencing factors (attitude and subjective norm) and intention. The resulting negative coefficients of regression for the interactions indicate that the introduction of infrastructure will result in a weaker influencing ability of attitude and subjective norm on intention. Thus, the implications of this study in motivating consumers' intentions suggest it would be beneficial for the government to provide functional and adequately managed infrastructure situated close to the community, such that it can be easily accessed by household consumers.

Examining Trust and Risk in Mobile Money Acceptance in Uganda

“…Based on TPB, users' adoption of mobile money is explained by their intentions [15,32]. The intentions are a function of subjective norms, attitude and perceived behavioral control [30,33].…”

“…As recommended by Nduneseokwu et al [32], we determine the sample size for an infinite population at Z = 1.96 and 95% confidence level, which results in 384 as sample size. Nduneseokwu et al [32] further suggested an adjustment to the population (1,578,133) of Kampala city, to obtain an adjusted population size by using the following formula:…”

“…Nduneseokwu et al [32] (p. 6) and Chuchird et al [75] (p. 2) used field surveys for data collection. Also, because the level of internet connection in Uganda is still poor, the field survey was the most appropriate way of reaching respondents as compared to an online survey.…”

Socio-Spatial Factors Affecting Household Recycling in Townhouses in Pretoria, South Africa

“…Ajzen's [17] Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) is a widely used framework for studying environmental behaviour, including recycling [18][19][20][21]. According to the TPB, three factors (independent constructs) guide human behaviour (the dependent construct), including 'attitude' towards a certain behaviour (i.e., beliefs about the consequences of performing the behaviour), 'subjective norm' (i.e., perception of others' expectations of one to perform the behaviour, notably social pressure), and 'perceived behavioural control' (PBC) (i.e., how much control one believes one has to perform the behaviour, notably the ability to perform the behaviour).…”

The Effect of a Weekly Comingled Kerbside Collection Service on Household Recycling in a Gated Community in Pretoria, South Africa

“…We used Ajzen's [24] well-known Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) as a theoretical framework considering its applicability to environmental behaviour, especially recycling [25][26][27][28]. According to the TPB, there are three determinants of behaviour, including 'attitude' towards the behaviour (i.e., perceptions about the consequences of performing the behaviour), 'subjective norm' (i.e., perceptions of others' expectations to perform the behaviour, notably social pressure), and 'perceived behavioural control' (PBC) (i.e., perceptions of how much control one has to perform the behaviour, notably the ability to perform the behaviour).…”