How to Shape Local Public Acceptance of Not-in-My-Backyard Infrastructures? A Social Cognitive Theory Perspective

Wenling Bao, Yu Chen, Caiyun Cui, Bo Xia, Yongjian Ke, Martin Skitmore and Yong Liu ()
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Wenling Bao: School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
Yu Chen: School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
Caiyun Cui: School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, North China Institute of Science and Technology, Langfang 065201, China
Bo Xia: School of Architecture and Built Environment, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia
Yongjian Ke: School of Built Environment, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
Martin Skitmore: Faculty of Society and Design, Bond University, Robina, QLD 4229, Australia
Yong Liu: School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 22, 1-18

Abstract: Acceptance by the local public is the key determinant for the successful implementation of NIMBY (Not-In-My-Backyard) infrastructures and may be shaped in different ways among different infrastructure types. Based on social cognitive theory (SCT), this study clarifies the specific mechanism shaping local public acceptance of NIMBY facilities with two types of hazardous effects (i.e., pollution and psychological exclusion) using a large-scale questionnaire survey and structural equation model. The results reveal that, firstly, SCT provides a solid theoretical basis for exploring the mechanism under the joint action of environmental and personal factors. Secondly, it is verified that self-efficacy indirectly predicts local public acceptance by influencing perceived risk. The effect of the positive affect tag is mediated by perceived risk in shaping acceptance of polluting facilities but not of psychologically excluded facilities. In general, people tend to have a lower perceived risk, higher perceived benefit, stronger sense of self-efficacy, and more positive attitude when faced with the siting of psychologically excluded NIMBY facilities over polluting ones. These findings are helpful for planning and decision-making of NIMBY facilities with different types of hazardous impacts, reducing NIMBY conflicts and promoting the construction of NIMBY infrastructures. Furthermore, it contributes to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 (promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development) and (SDG) 11 (building inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and human settlements).

Keywords: NIMBY facilities; public acceptance; social cognitive theory; polluting; psychologically excluded (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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