Uncovering the determinants of pro-environmental consumption for green hotels and green restaurants: A mixed-method approach

Abstract

Purpose – This paper aims to uncover the determining factors of customers’ pro-environmental intention for green hospitality products (green hotels and green restaurants) and explore the comparative importance among the factors. This study also investigated the difference in forming pro-environmental intention across the green hospitality product types. Design/methodology/approach – A mixed-method approach was taken to achieve the research objectives. In a qualitative phase, the textual data collected via an open-ended question were analyzed using a unit of analysis and categorization method. In a quantitative phase, the psychometric measurement items were organized and validated through a series of tests. A structural equation modeling and structural invariance test were used to evaluate the hypothesized relationships and difference between green hotels and green restaurants. Findings – The textual data yielded three additional factors underlying consumers’ pro-environmental consumption intention. Including five core variables derived from the extant theories in the proenvironmental behavior literature, eight variables were categorized into volitional, cognitive, emotional and moral dimensions. Among the dimensions, volitional and cognitive dimensions significantly contributed to consumer’ pro-environmental intention. The influence of pro-environmental attitude and perceived benefits on intention differed across green hotels and green restaurants. Originality/value – This study uses a thorough mixed-method approach encompassing qualitative and quantitative processes and develops the psychometric items to explore the drivers of customers’ pro-environmental consumption intention for green hospitality products. This research is also one of the very few studies that verified the difference in customers’ pro-environmental behavior between green hotels and green restaurants.