Version 1
: Received: 16 April 2021 / Approved: 19 April 2021 / Online: 19 April 2021 (14:25:22 CEST)
How to cite:
Sarabia-Sánchez, F.J.; Riquelme, I.P.; Bruno, J.M. Resistance to Change and Perceived Risk as Determinants of Water-Saving Intention. Preprints2021, 2021040496
Sarabia-Sánchez, F.J.; Riquelme, I.P.; Bruno, J.M. Resistance to Change and Perceived Risk as Determinants of Water-Saving Intention. Preprints 2021, 2021040496
Sarabia-Sánchez, F.J.; Riquelme, I.P.; Bruno, J.M. Resistance to Change and Perceived Risk as Determinants of Water-Saving Intention. Preprints2021, 2021040496
APA Style
Sarabia-Sánchez, F.J., Riquelme, I.P., & Bruno, J.M. (2021). Resistance to Change and Perceived Risk as Determinants of Water-Saving Intention. Preprints. https://doi.org/
Chicago/Turabian Style
Sarabia-Sánchez, F.J., Isabel P. Riquelme and Juan Manuel Bruno. 2021 "Resistance to Change and Perceived Risk as Determinants of Water-Saving Intention" Preprints. https://doi.org/
Abstract
Both academic literature and global organizations have emphasized the need for responsible water consumption, as stated in the Sustainable Development Goal 12. However, individuals’ water-saving behaviors in their current state are not enough. This situation entails a resistance to change (RC) in consumer habits and a lack of perceived risk of scarcity. The novelty of this study lies in examining the influence of RC (through its emotional, cognitive, and confidence components) and perceived risk on water-saving intention. Interviews (n = 384) were conducted in the southeast Mediterranean area of Spain by interviewers using a paper-and-pencil questionnaire. The results of the structural equation modeling show that the perceived risk and the components of cognitive rigidity and negative emotions exert a direct influence on water-saving habits and an indirect influence on water-saving intention. None of the components of RC directly influence intention, and a lack of confidence in the outcomes of water saving does not influence water-saving habits or water-saving intention. In addition to the results obtained, the novelty of the work lies in the idea that in order to influence the perception of the risk of water scarcity through awareness campaigns, it is better to use an emotional message rather than showing facts or information, because this does not drive water saving behavior.
Keywords
water saving; resistance to change; perceived risk; intentions; Sustainable Development Goal 12
Subject
Environmental and Earth Sciences, Water Science and Technology
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
