Understanding the determinants of consumers' reverse exchange intention as an approach to e-waste recycling: a developing country perspective
Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Administration
ISSN: 1757-4323
Article publication date: 3 May 2022
Issue publication date: 11 May 2023
Abstract
Purpose
End-of-life electronic products exchange (EEPE) program could be an effective approach to e-waste recycling that requires consumers' participation. Thus, it is highly recommended to study factors stirring consumer behavior with regard to EEPE programs, which is largely under-explored in the existing literature. Hence, grounding on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Attitude-Behavior-Context (A-B-C) model, this study attempts to understand the determinants of consumers' EEPE intention by adding contextual and non-cognitive factors to the proposed research model.
Design/methodology/approach
Employing a purposive sampling technique, respondents were drawn from university students and general consumers of electronic products in a developing country. Factor analysis, structural equation modeling (SEM) and SPSS PROCESS were used to analyze the collected data.
Findings
Empirical results confirm that subjective norm has the strongest positive impact on EEPE intention. Following this, attitude toward EEPE and perceived behavioral control play positive mediating roles in determining EEPE intention. Moreover, government initiatives moderate the unsolicited “attitude–intention gap”.
Practical implications
Drawing on this study's outcomes, the study urges to form comprehensive awareness-building campaigns, rules and regulations regarding proper e-waste management, promote “exchange offer” programs and educational programs to encourage EEPE.
Originality/value
This study makes two fresh contributions to the extant literature. First, by coupling the TPB and A-B-C theory, this study showed that both attitude (i.e. attitude toward EEPE) and context (i.e. government initiatives) are essential in eliciting individual-level post-consumption pro-environmental behavior (PEB) (i.e. EEPE). Second, government initiatives elucidate the attitude–intention gap in the reverse logistics context, especially in developing countries.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Funding: The study was funded by the University of Barishal under the grants of UGC, Bangladesh [2019-20/475/2167].
Citation
Sabbir, M.M., Khan, T.T., Das, A., Akter, S. and Hossain, M.A. (2023), "Understanding the determinants of consumers' reverse exchange intention as an approach to e-waste recycling: a developing country perspective", Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Administration, Vol. 15 No. 3, pp. 411-439. https://doi.org/10.1108/APJBA-11-2021-0565
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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