Weili Guan

This study used a 2 × 2 experimental design to explore the effects of message type (non-narrative vs. narrative information) and social media metrics (high vs. low numbers of plays) of low-carbon-themed social media short videos on people's willingness to protect the environment. Subjects completed questionnaires after viewing short videos that contained different message types and social media metrics, and a final sample of 295 cases was included in the data analysis. The study found that, while the type of information (i.e., non-narrative or narrative) of the low-carbon-themed social media short videos had no direct effect on people's willingness to protect the environment, its indirect effects were significant. These indirect effects were achieved through immersion experience and social influence. Subjects who watched narrative videos had a higher level of immersion experience, which in turn was significantly and positively correlated with environmental intention; meanwhile, those who watched non-narrative videos experienced a higher level of social influence, which in turn was significantly and positively correlated with environmental intention. In addition, subjects who viewed high-volume videos experienced a more positive effect on their willingness to protect the environment. This study explored how message design could promote subjects' perceptions and positive attitudes towards environmental protection, with important managerial implications.

In an effort to reduce environmental pollution and energy consumption, the Chinese government strongly promotes the usage of electric vehicles. However, studies focusing on assessing consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for electric vehicles (EVs) are limited in the country. This research aims to address this research gap by examining influencing factors of consumers’ WTP for EVs in the Chinese perspective. Combined with the existing consumers’ intention factors, the current study further contributed by augmenting the theoretical framework of the Theory of Planned Behavior by including three new dimensions (performance expectancy, information loaded, and perceived risk) to comprehensively analyze the willingness of Chinese consumers. Analysis is performed on survey data from 498 consumers using EVs in Beijing, China. To evaluate formulated hypotheses, structural equation modeling approach is employed. Empirical findings reveal that environmental knowledge and performance expectancy positively and significantly influence behavioral intention. In contrast, overloaded information has a negative impact on behavioral intention. Moreover, subjective norms are significantly and positively related to behavioral intention. The research outcomes further disclose that perceived risk is positively and significantly related to behavioral intention. Finally, behavioral intention has a significant and positive association with WTP for EVs. The study contributes to the literature on sustainable consumption behavior and provides academics and practitioners with essential future directions.

In order to achieve sustainable development that balances economic growth, environmental protection, and social well-being and ensures a sustainable future, strict environmental regulations and sustainable nuclear energy production may play a vital role. Empirical works are insufficient when measuring the effects of strict environmental policies and nuclear energy production on sustainable development. This research aims to close this gap by examining how environmental policy stringency and nuclear energy production contribute to sustainable development in the top 17 nuclear energy-generating countries between 1995 and 2021. The research uses the linear and nonlinear CS-ARDL and PMG-ARDL models to achieve this goal. The linear model suggests that environmental policy stringency and nuclear energy production contribute to long-term sustainable development. In the nonlinear model, a positive change in environmental policy stringency and nuclear energy production causes long-run sustainable development to grow, while a negative change in environmental policy stringency and nuclear energy production hinders long-run sustainable development. Furthermore, environmental technologies, human capital, financial development, trade liberalization, and research and development expenditures are crucial for fostering long-run sustainable development. In contrast, the natural resource rents hurt sustainable development. These findings suggest that policymakers should consider combining strict environmental regulations and nuclear energy in devising policies for sustainable development.

Green innovation is a significant component of high-value growth closely linked to China’s 14th five-year plan. This research investigates the influence of green innovation on the market performance of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The results are based on the primary data gathered via an online questionnaire survey from 453 respondents working for SMEs in China. The structural equation modeling approach is used for data analysis purposes. The research findings highlight that green innovation positively impacts marketing and products. In turn, marketing innovation positively influences product innovation and market performance, and product innovation also significantly boosts market performance. The study’s findings lead us to suggest that organizations in developing countries should focus on SMEs’ green innovation, which will support them in achieving an effective market performance. The study’s limitations are noted so the findings can be interpreted with caution, and directions for future research are outlined for all stakeholders.