The Role of Internet and Social Interactions in Advancing Waste Sorting Behaviors in Rural Communities

Liz Maribel Robladillo Bravo, Ricardo Fernando Cosio Borda, Luis Alberto Marcelo Quispe, James Arístides Pajuelo Rodríguez, Józef Ober () and Nisar Ahmed Khan
Additional contact information
Liz Maribel Robladillo Bravo: Escuela de Posgrado, Universidad César Vallejo, Victor Larco District, Trujillo 13001, Peru
Ricardo Fernando Cosio Borda: Faculty of Administration, Finance, and Economics Sciences, Universidad EAN, Bogotá 111321, Colombia
Luis Alberto Marcelo Quispe: Professional School of Management, Universidad Autónoma del Perú, Villa El Salvador District, Lima 15842, Peru
James Arístides Pajuelo Rodríguez: Professional School of Management, Universidad Autónoma del Perú, Villa El Salvador District, Lima 15842, Peru
Józef Ober: Department of Applied Social Sciences, Faculty of Organization and Management, Silesian University of Technology, Roosevelt Street 26-28, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
Nisar Ahmed Khan: School of Economics and Management, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100081, China

Resources, 2024, vol. 13, issue 4, 1-16

Abstract: Addressing the global challenge of sustainable waste management, this research investigates the influence of social dynamics and digital connectivity on rural residents’ willingness to adopt waste classification practices, essential for sustainable environmental management. Through a comprehensive analysis of 5413 rural participants surveyed in the China Labor-force Dynamic Survey (CLDS), this study employs a novel mixed-methods approach. It integrates quantitative analysis with the Manski social interaction framework and a Recursive Bivariate Probit model to explore the intricate interplay between community interactions, internet access, and environmental behaviors. Our methodology stands out for its unique combination of social theory and econometric modeling to address a pressing environmental issue. Results highlight a significant effect of mobile internet use and social interactions within communities on enhancing willingness towards waste classification. Notably, digital connectivity emerges as a key facilitator of environmental engagement, mediating social influences, and fostering a collective approach to waste management. Considering these insights, we propose targeted policy interventions that blend digital strategies with traditional community engagement efforts. Recommendations include crafting digital literacy programs and leveraging social media to bolster community-centric environmental governance. By harnessing the synergistic potential of digital tools and social dynamics, these strategies aim to elevate the effectiveness of waste classification initiatives in rural China, offering a scalable model for environmental sustainability.

Keywords: social interaction; internet usage; rural waste classification; mobile internet; environmental governance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9276/13/4/57/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9276/13/4/57/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jresou:v:13:y:2024:i:4:p:57-:d:1372529

Access Statistics for this article

Resources is currently edited by Ms. Donchian Ma

More articles in Resources from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().