Household Waste Separation Intentions in Mongolia: Persuasive Communication Leads to Perceived Convenience and Behavioral Control

Yeneneh Tamirat Negash, Abdiqani Muse Hassan, Bayarjargal Batbaatar and Pei-Kuan Lin
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Yeneneh Tamirat Negash: Institute of Innovation and Circular Economy, Asia University, Taichung City 41354, Taiwan
Abdiqani Muse Hassan: Department of Business Administration, College of Management, Asia University, Taichung City 41354, Taiwan
Bayarjargal Batbaatar: Department of Business Administration, College of Management, Asia University, Taichung City 41354, Taiwan
Pei-Kuan Lin: Department of Business Administration, College of Management, Asia University, Taichung City 41354, Taiwan

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 20, 1-23

Abstract: This study contributes by developing a set of household waste separation (HWS) attributes to address waste mishandling and to enhance waste separation intentions in households. In Mongolia, a lack of waste separation at the household level needs to be addressed to improve municipal solid waste management systems. However, prior studies have not established attributes in a hierarchical structure, nor do they understand their cause-effect interrelationships. First, the fuzzy Delphi method (FDM) was used to screen out the unnecessary attributes in qualitative information. The fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (FDEMATEL) was then applied to understand the hierarchical structure of the attributes and their cause-effect interrelationships. The study identifies a valid set of attributes consisting of five aspects and 17 criteria under uncertainties. A hierarchical framework consisting of environmental attitudes, social norms, perceived behavioral control, perceived convenience, and persuasive communication is provided. The findings reveal that persuasive communication and environmental attitudes are causal group aspects. Furthermore, persuasive communication has a strong causal impact and higher importance in improving HWS intentions, and it leads to perceived convenience and behavioral control. For policymakers, credibility of information, knowledge and information, awareness of consequences, willingness to sort, and perceived policy effectiveness are the key causal criteria for enhancing HWS intentions. Theoretical and practical policy implications are discussed.

Keywords: theory of planned behavior; household waste separation intentions; persuasive communication; fuzzy delphi; fuzzy DEMATEL (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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