Resources, Conservation and Recycling ( IF 11.2 ) Pub Date : 2020-09-01 , DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.105116 Jianhua Yin , Shaoqing Shi
Based on the theory of social interaction and embeddedness, the structural equation modeling analysis method is used, taking social norms, education and publicity as mediator variables, and the role of information interaction patterns formed by network size and relationship strength on Chinese residents’ low-carbon consumption behaviors is analyzed. The research hypotheses are verified by a direct model and a mediating model through reliability test, validity test and confirmatory factor analysis. Multiple group analysis is performed to explore the cross-group validity based on the demographic and regional characteristics. The empirical results show that the relationship strength can directly promote the low-carbon consumption behaviors of Chinese residents, while the network size has an indirect effect through social norms. Multi-group analysis showed that only the elderly group showed significant mediating effect. In the gender group and the high-education group, the indirect effect of the network size on low-carbon consumption behaviors is shown. Female and the high-education group are presented through social norms, while male is presented through education and publicity. After summarizing the limitations and prospects of research, the policy recommendations are given to promote the low-carbon consumption behaviors of Chinese residents through social interaction channels.