Determinants with Impact on Romanian Consumers’ Energy-Saving Habits
Violeta Mihaela Dincă, Mihail Bușu, Zoltán NAGY-BEGE
Abstract
Due to the population’s growing need for energy and the increasing impact of the phenomena of global warming and climate change on a global level, it becomes imperative to diminish energy consumption worldwide. For this reason, a deeper understanding of factors that encourage energy-saving habits and overall lifestyle is required. This research examined the factors that hold an impact on the adoption of energy-saving habits in Romania. It used eight constructs that were checked to see if they influence the individuals’ intentions to save energy. The research used a quantitative analysis approach, with primary data assembled through a survey of the population from six developed counties in Romania. In order to investigate and assess the data, structural equation modeling (SEM) was used. The results show that environmental awareness, perceived consumer effectiveness and a collectivistic perspective affect individuals in implementing energy-saving habits (in their life) in a significant and positive way. However, resistance to change and perceived costs were identified as having a negative and significant impact on the individuals’ implementation of such habits within their households. The outcomes of this research play a part in raising awareness of what could determine a more energy-saving lifestyle, and therefore it is essential that stakeholders within the energy sector in Romania consider the aspects of environmental awareness, perception of consumer effectiveness, perceived costs, collectivism and resistance to change during the development of programs of energy efficiency.